365+ Days to maturity. Fall Planting. Spring Blooming Iris germanica. Black Bearded Iris Flower Rhizomes. Non-GMO, hybrid. Perennial in zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10. Deer resistant. Attracts pollinators. Displays dramatically dark, near-black blooms in late spring to early summer. Recommended for growing in flower beds and borders. Bearded irises are great for use in the landscape as cut flowers, borders, backgrounds, or focal points. It has an upright growth habit with tolerance to drought, deer, and rabbits. Black bearded iris plants are not edible. True black flowers are exceptionally rare in nature, and these deep, velvety, near-black bearded irises are as close as the garden gets. A bold, sophisticated choice that creates striking contrast against lighter spring blooms.