1 / 3

Key characteristics

Classification: Tall Bearded Iris (TB)
Height: 36 inches
Width: 1 to 1 1/2 feet
Flower color: Cardinal red and bronze-red with bright golden beards
Foliage color: Medium green, upright, sword-shaped foliage
Bloom time: Early to late
Light: Full sun
Water: Moderate, drought tolerant once established
Growing zone: USDA zones 4 to 8

Irises

Iris 'Valentino'

Valentino Iris

Iris 'Valentino' is a tall bearded iris with richly colored, lightly ruffled flowers that can bloom from early through late season. The standards are a warm cardinal red with bronze-red shading through the center and near the base, while the broad falls deepen to a velvety dark red with subtly lighter side edges. Bright golden beards provide a warm contrast at the center, and a narrow gold marking may occasionally extend onto the falls.

Light

Full sun

Water

Moderate, drought tolerant once established

Bloom time

Early to late

Find this plant

Works well in

Borders
Cut Flower Gardens
Mediterranean Gardens
Foundation Plantings
Waterwise Gardens

Companion plants

Dwarf golden arborvitae · Rockrose · Cream yarrow · Purple penstemon · Blue eryngium · Silver santolina · Creeping oregano

Design tip

Use 'Valentino' as a deeper color anchor among lighter warm-toned flowers. Its red and bronze coloring works particularly well beside cream and gold, while nearby silver foliage can provide enough separation to keep several richly colored plants from appearing visually heavy.