Bearded Iris 'Mariposa Autumn'

Mariposa Autumn is a Tall Bearded iris introduced by Richard Tasco in 1999 and listed as Iris germanica ‘Mariposa Autumn’ by the [American Iris Society’s iris encyclopedia](https://wiki.irises.org/TbKthruO/TbMariposaAutumn). [Kew’s Plants of the World Online](https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn%3Alsid%3Aipni.org%3Anames%3A438637-1) treats Iris × germanica as an accepted rhizomatous hybrid in Iridaceae, while [NC State Extension’s German iris profile](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/) provides general planting context. ## Flowers and timing The American Iris Society describes rosy-violet standards with white centers, white falls banded in rosy violet, and white-based beards tipped violet and gold; it notes a slight sweet fragrance. The cultivar page records 32 inches and early-to-midseason bloom with rebloom, while the reproduced 1999 introduction gives 33 inches and reports reliable September–October rebloom in the breeder’s Central California Zone 8 garden. The two documented height values are retained as a 32–33 inch range. Rebloom reports vary by location and are observations, not a hardiness rating; these sources do not give this selection a spread or a general USDA zone range. ## Placement General Tall Bearded iris guidance favors full sun and well-drained soil. The American Iris Society page says established plants tolerate dry conditions but are intolerant of swampy ground. NC State describes German iris as rhizomatous and recommends avoiding deep planting; [Schreiner’s Bearded Iris planting guide](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/how-do-i-plant-bearded-iris) also covers sunlight, drainage, and rhizome placement. ## Maintenance Set rhizomes at or just above the soil surface in freely draining ground, then water new plantings to settle the soil. Established plants tolerate dry conditions, but avoid standing water. For bearded iris generally, [Schreiner’s division guide](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/pages/how-do-i-divide-and-transplant-bearded-iris) recommends dividing crowded clumps after flowering, commonly every three to five years. Local climate affects bloom and rebloom timing.