Beardy Weirdies

The fields of irises at Howard Nurseries near Diss in Norfolk are probably the closest thing we have to the vast and vivid bulb fields of Holland. The colours are more subtle though, for while iris flower colours can be strong, they are never bright, and one colour tends to fade into the next. Some colours are quite unusual: rich browns, ochres, ethereal blues, not-quite-whites, and black – yes, black, for among all the very dark flowers, ‘Black Tie Affair’ is probably as black as you can get.

Howard Nurseries is Britain’s leading wholesale supplier of traditionally grown perennials. Their clients include