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Family: Iridaceae (eye-rid-AY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Iris (EYE-ris) (Info) Cultivar: Souv. de Mme. Gaudichau Hybridized by Millet; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1914
Height: 24-36 in. (60-90 cm) 36-48 in. (90-120 cm)
Spacing: 12-15 in. (30-38 cm) 15-18 in. (38-45 cm) 18-24 in. (45-60 cm)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Purple Dark Purple/Black
Bloom Time: Early (E)
Foliage: Herbaceous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting: N/A: plant does not set seed, flowers are sterile, or plants will not come true from seed
On Oct 22, 2012, 107peachorchard from Lewisburg, KY wrote:
This beauty was received as a gift, and what a gift, indeed! it's velvety depth of color is stunning, and this year, despite the draught here in western KY, it is blooming for the second time, now in late October. Mme. Gaudichau must have been a stately and elegant beauty to be remembered in this iris' name.
On May 27, 2011, LauraSteele from Fort Wayne, IN wrote:
Last year I purchased a fat, plump rhizome from Superstition Iris Gardens (love them) and early this Spring it sent up 2 strong, straight stalks each loaded with 4 dark purple blooms. Beautiful flowers.
Hydridized by Millet & Fils, introduced in 1914, AIS Award of Merit in 1924, 1927 and 1929. Royal Hort. Society Awards in 1924, 1927 and 1929.
Per the 1928 Lee R. Bonnewitz Peony and Iris catalog from Van Wert, Ohio:
MADAME GAUDICHAU (Millet). The President of the Iris Society, Mr. Wister, discovered this variety in France during the war, and at his suggestion we immediately imported it, and it is now universally acknowledged to be one of the best Irises in the world. We have, we believe, the largest stock of it in the United States, but we are offering to sell this year, only one thousand rhizomes, as we wish, if possible, to plant a full acre of it to supply the immense wholesale trade with the Catalog Seed Houses and Nurseries which we are sure will develop for this and the other outstanding varieties of Irises. $1.00
On May 3, 2008, spaceydaaggie from Roswell, NM wrote:
Souv. De Mme Gaudicheu-Millet, 1914
From Cornell Extension Bulletin 1925: "S. Bradley's violet F. brilliant velvety blackish purple veined on bronzed outer haft; the bluish beard is yellow tipped. The growth is rampant. It is a striking and remarkably early sort.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Fort Wayne, Indiana Lewisburg, Kentucky Roswell, New Mexico Harbeck-fruitdale, Oregon
