The collection was created over 60 years ago by Doreen Bovet.

Like many Americans, Doreen loved iris. In autumn 1950, she ordered five new varieties from Schreiner, a renowned Swiss grower based in the United States, and had them planted in the Château’s vegetable garden. When the gardens were opened to the public in 1955, visitors were amazed to see so many different iris together. As the years have passed, their number has grown. Today, over four hundred varieties of iris and 13,500 daylilies extend for more than two hectares.

The iris, more robust and with more flowers, some blooming twice a year

The flowers we admire today are very different to the ones the first visitors saw. Today’s iris are more robust and produce more blooms. The flowers are carried on shorter stems (85cm on average, compared with 100cm), are larger and last longer. Their shape has changed too, with rounded rather than pointed petals and wide sepals that extend almost horizontally instead of hanging. Colours have also evolved, with a preference today for warm shades of honey, purple, rusty brown and mahogany, or subtle blends of pink, peach and cream. Breeders are still trying to achieve the perfect red.

Each year new varieties are introduced, thanks to which the collection remains one of the most interesting and up-to-date in Europe. Recent additions include reblooming iris which, in the right weather conditions, will flower a second time in autumn. During the summer months, visitors can admire the daylilies; 200 different varieties feature in the catalogue.