Bearded Iris 'Stellar Lights'

‘Stellar Lights’ is a tall-bearded iris bred by Aitken and introduced in 1986, with deep blue-violet flowers marked by a white spot around the white beard. The [American Iris Society cultivar profile](https://wiki.irises.org/TbPthruT/TbStellarLights) records a 38-inch (97 cm) height and midseason-to-very-late bloom; its 2022 checklist reports rebloom from several regions, but rebloom is not guaranteed at every site. ## Landscape and season Use it in a sunny perennial border or cutting garden. [North Carolina State Extension’s bearded-iris guide](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/) recommends full sun for best performance, while noting that some shade is tolerated. ## Growing conditions Set rhizomes at soil level or lightly cover them in rich, well-drained soil; do not mulch. Bearded iris prefers drier conditions, and established plants tolerate dry spells; heavy or soggy soils and overwatering can cause root rot. ## Maintenance Fertilize in early spring and divide after flowering in mid- to late summer. Remove faded flowers and clear old foliage at season’s end to help manage iris borer; divide as clumps crowd.