Bearded Iris 'Sorbonne'

Sorbonne is a tall-bearded iris registered by Keith Keppel in 2008, with a late-midseason bloom. Its plicata-patterned flowers pair blackish red-brown standards with lemon-gold falls that age toward cream, and its white beards are tipped brown. [American Iris Society entry](https://wiki.irises.org/TbPthruT/TbSorbonne) ## Flowering and form The AIS record lists the cultivar at 38 inches (97 cm) and describes light-yellow speckling on the standards. The falls have a lemon-gold ground that softens toward cream as they age. ## Growing conditions Schreiner’s bearded-iris guidance recommends at least six hours of sun in most climates, while allowing some shade in extremely hot areas. Use well-drained garden soil and plant rhizomes with their tops exposed and roots spread downward. [Planting guidance](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/pages/how-do-i-plant-bearded-iris) ## Maintenance Keep beds clear of weeds and debris. Cut bloom stalks near the base when all buds have finished, leave healthy foliage through summer, and remove diseased or brown leaves. Divide clumps before they become crowded, generally every three to five years; Schreiner’s guide gives July through September as a typical window. Water newly planted rhizomes well and, if dry conditions continue, every seven to ten days until autumn rains begin. [Bed care](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/pages/how-do-i-care-for-my-iris-beds) · [Division guidance](https://www.schreinersgardens.com/pages/how-do-i-divide-and-transplant-bearded-iris)