Wonderful Watsonia

You say your garden needs a statuesque sizzler? Have you met watsonia?

First, let's talk about height. If a lanky gal is your preference, this one tops out at shoulder height or even a bit taller, depending on growing conditions. She's ideal for anchoring the back of a large perennial bed where shorter plants would be lost.

To support the clam that she's tough, allow us to give an example. This native South African plant is commonly used to edge highways, not the cushiest locations to be found. Here she withstands frequent wildfires, often rebounding with brilliant mass blooms the following year. Could many of your garden plants do that?

Watsonia's flower stems make quite a show, each with up to 40 tubular blooms ending in rounded stars. The colors - pink, peach, apricot, fuchsia and white - are breathtaking. Stem length is four to five feet, suitable for the largest bouquet or snippable to something shorter. Her cut flowers last more than a week in water.

So, now that you've met watsonia, don't you think she belongs in your garden?

Is a flashy beauty what you had in mind? Let's pass up the simple Dutch irises and see what the rest of the clan has to offer.

Look carefully, you'll see the spiky form provides a clue that tall bearded iris and watsonia are related, both being members of the Iridaceae family. Irises are shorter and this gal grows to about hip height when in bloom.

Hardy to zone 4, depending on variety, she's also able to handle heat nicely and develops quickly into a full, sturdy plant. Given sun and perhaps extra water during dry periods, she'll perform like a champ.

But when the talk turns to flowers, that's when tall bearded irises truly excel. Irises bloom in a rainbow of colors, festooned with elaborate ruffles; they're the showgirls of the garden. The winning card, however, is that every tall bearded iris on this website is a rebloomer. That means that in addition to a sumptuous spring show, the package includes a late summer and/or fall display. Twice the flowers for the same price, garden space and care.

Wouldn't you agree that your garden needs a couple of irises?