• Bearded iris thornbird with cream and yellow petals against a blurred background.
  • Purple bearded iris thornbird with white and yellow accents against a blurred background.
  • A pair of bearded iris bulbs with leafy stalks and a bulbous body.
Fall Preorder
Ships Late August 2026

Bearded Iris Bulbs - Thornbird

1997 American Dykes Medal winner as a unique horned bearded iris

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About the Variety

Key Features

Frost Tolerant
Heat Tolerant
Drought Tolerant
Prefers Lean Soil
Container Friendly
Attracts Bees
Attracts Butterflies
Fragrant
Easy to Grow
Perfect for Cut Flowers
Perfect for Borders
Perfect for Xeriscaping
Reduces Erosion
Deer Resistant
Rodent Resistant
Rabbit Resistant

Plant Details

BOTANICAL NAME

Iris germanica

LIFE CYCLE

  • Perennial

LIGHT REQUIREMENT

  • Full Sun
  • Partial Shade

GROWTH HABIT

  • Upright

PLANT HEIGHT

  • 37 inches

PLANT TYPE

  • Bearded

COLOR

  • Yellow

Thornbird Bearded Iris, a truly special variety featuring pale ecru standards with greenish-tan falls. Take note of the violet horns or spoons that emerge from the violet beards tipped mustard, spanning out over each of the extended, darkly-veined, lightly ruffled falls. A truly special detail! This award winner is a prolific bloomer, yielding multiple stems each with lightly sweet, fragranced blooms.

  • • Plant for midseason blooms
  • • Often yields more than one stem per rhizome
  • • Harvest during cool hours before blooms are fully open

Planting Information

PLANTING SEASON

  • Fall

PLANTING DEPTH

  • In a shallow hole with fleshy roots partially exposed

WATER NEEDS

  • Low

PLANT SPACING

  • 12 to 24 inches

HARDINESS ZONES

  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 6
  • 7
  • 8
  • 9

COVERAGE

Amount Recommended Coverage
1 Bulb / Ships in Fall Up to 0.75 Sq. Ft
3 Bulbs / Ships in Fall Up to 1.5 Sq. Ft
5 Bulbs / Ships in Fall Up to 3.5 Sq. Ft

Planting Guide

View our Bearded Iris Planting Guide to learn more.

Ready to Grow

We guarantee that our seeds & bulbs will be true to type and ready to thrive. If something doesn't grow as expected, we will make it right. Questions? Call us at 855-440-2929

Bearded Iris Bulbs - Thornbird

$14.99

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Bearded Iris Bulbs - Thornbird FAQs

What size bulbs will I receive with Thornbird Bearded Iris?

Thornbird Bearded Iris is graded No. 1.

Is Thornbird Bearded Iris resistant to animals or disease?

Thornbird Bearded Iris is deer resistant and rabbit resistant, meaning deer and rabbits generally avoid it due to its taste, texture, or aroma.

What type of bulb is Thornbird Bearded Iris grown from?

Thornbird Bearded Iris is grown from a rhizome.

Grown by Our Community • All iris bearded