Bearded Iris 'Witch's Wand'

Witch’s Wand is a tall bearded iris registered by Barry Blyth in 1985 and introduced in 1988 with Keith Keppel. Its electric violet-black standards, near-black falls, and bright tangerine beard create a dramatic midseason-to-late display above swordlike foliage. ## Flower and garden use The American Iris Society’s cultivar record gives a mature height of about 36 inches and describes the flower as a dark violet bitone with a conspicuous orange-tangerine beard. The strong contrast reads well in a sunny border, where the dark flowers can be set against pale foliage or lighter spring blooms. Plants spread into clumps over time and can be divided to renew crowded beds. ## Growing conditions Choose full sun for best flowering; some afternoon shade is tolerated. A well-drained garden soil is essential, since bearded iris rhizomes decline in persistently wet ground. Water during establishment and extended dry spells, then avoid keeping the rhizome wet. The cultivar record gives midseason-to-late bloom timing; local dates shift with climate. ## Sources [American Iris Society Iris Encyclopedia: ‘Witch’s Wand’](https://wiki.irises.org/TbUthruZ/TbWitchsWand) · [Penn State Extension: Bearded Iris](https://extension.psu.edu/iris-diseases) ## Maintenance Keep the rhizome near the soil surface and remove weeds that shade it. Divide congested clumps every few years after flowering or in late summer, replanting firm rhizome sections with roots spread into the soil. Remove spent flower stalks; trim damaged foliage as needed, but leave healthy leaves to support next season’s growth.