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Iris hollandica

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-riss hol-LAN-dih-kah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

This more delicately flowered perennial herb in the Iridaceae family is grown from a bulb rather than a rhizome spaced 4-6" at 3-5" depth 6-8 per square foot in sunny locations with well-drained light soil.  They were hybridized of the Spanish iris group by the Dutch.  As bulbs divide into bulblets (offshoots) after blooms have faded they may be separated and replanted, but take several years to mature.  To increase the pleasure of subsequent seasons, it is recommended to separate and plant these bulblets, or plant additional bulbs each fall.  In the cooler regions of their range, they are grown as annuals and bulbs are planted in the fall for a spring bloom April to May.  They should be kept moist during the growing season and can tolerate light afternoon shade.   

Although the leaves are strap-like, overlapping at the base and oriented in one plane as many other iris, they are finer, thinner and shorter at 15-24".   The flowers are showy in the garden and are prized as cut flowers.  Cultivars introduce flowers of many various colors from purple to blue to yellow to white with one to several at the top of a naked stem.  They are 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards".  They are not bearded but may show a yellow spot or stripe on the falls.  The fruit is a capsule.   They may be susceptible to the fungal, bacterial and iris borer difficulties of the Iris family so the bed should be kept clean of old leaves and debris. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  

 

More information on Iris.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Pink and White Garden
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Iris hollandica 'Oriental Beauty
    Light blue & Yellow petals
Iris hollandica 'Oriental Beauty
Tags:
#poisonous#large flowers#flowers late spring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#flowers midspring
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Iris hollandica 'Oriental Beauty
    Light blue & Yellow petals
Iris hollandica 'Oriental Beauty
Tags:
#poisonous#large flowers#flowers late spring#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#container plant#flowers midspring
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    hollandica
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Hybrid of species from Spain and Morocco
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    Less than 12 inches
    12 inches-3 feet
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Black
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Orange
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Good Cut
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Flower Shape:
    Funnel
    Flower Petals:
    6 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    1-several flowers at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards", variously colored. Blooms in mid to late spring (April/May)
  • Leaves:
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Rosulate
    Leaf Shape:
    Lanceolate
    Linear
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    Strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Patio
    Small Space
    Landscape Theme:
    Cutting Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Problems:
    Contact Dermatitis
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    CAUSES ONLY LOW TOXICITY IF EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES. Nausea, salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhea, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin), Irisin, iridin, or irisine
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    Yes
    Poison Part:
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds