Dwarf Crested Iris Iris cristata
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Evansia cristata
- Iris glumacea
- Iris odorata
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-riss kris-TAY-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Dwarf crested Iris is a native species in the Iridaceae (iris) family that grows in North Carolina. It reaches only 4-9 inches tall and spreads to form a groundcover in its native peaty woodland habitat. It offers an early perennial spring bloom in partly shady areas and grows well in rock gardens and woodland sites. Following the blooms, the foliage is useful as a ground cover in the woodland shade.
This plant grows best in partial sun to partial shade, preferring rich, well-drained soil but also grows in the difficult-to-manage dry shade. A too rich soil will encourage foliage growth and no blooms. It can tolerate full sun but needs more moisture. Use this plant for a ground cover in partly shady areas of rock gardens, woodland sites or in a perennial border. It is resistant to damage by deer.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Slugs and snails are occasional problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Courtyard Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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'Alba'
- 'Caerulea'
Deep blue blooms - 'Eco White Angel'
- 'Shenandoah Sky',
Pale blue flowers
White flowers - 'Caerulea'
- 'Alba', 'Caerulea', 'Eco White Angel', 'Shenandoah Sky',
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
-
'Alba'
- 'Caerulea'
Deep blue blooms - 'Eco White Angel'
- 'Shenandoah Sky',
Pale blue flowers
White flowers - 'Caerulea'
- 'Alba', 'Caerulea', 'Eco White Angel', 'Shenandoah Sky',
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- cristata
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- N. Central & E. U.S.A.
- Distribution:
- AL , AR , DC , GA , IL , IN , KY , MA , MD , MO , MS , NC , OH , OK , PA , SC , TN , VA , WV
- Fire Risk Rating:
- low flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Its flowers are attractive to hummingbirds and bumblebees.
- Play Value:
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is highly resistant to damage from deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 0 ft. 9 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 6 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Poisonous
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Brown capsule. Displays from June to July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Flowers are iris-like in blue, purple or white with a white patch and orange or yellow crest. Blooms from April to May.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- 6 inch long pointed, bright green, sword-shaped leaves with paler undersides.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Fire
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Nausea, salivation, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, lethargy, elevated temperature following ingestion; skin irritation upon contact with seeds, rootstock, or cell sap. It causes only low toxicity if eaten. Skin irritation lasts for a few minutes. Highest concentration in rhizomes
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin), Irisin, iridin, or irisine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
