Dwarf Iris Iris reticulata 'Harmony'
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dwarf Iris:
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-ris reh-tick-yoo-LAY-tuh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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This cultivar of I. reticulata, a reticulated iris, is one of many perennial herbs grown from a bulb. The leaves are strap-like and overlapping at the base in a fan shape. The small (2-3"), fragrant flowers are a vibrant royal blue with the 3 outer, pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards" of other iris, but are marked with striping of white and yellow on the falls.
This grows best in full sunlight to afternoon only or morning only sunlight. The fruit is a capsule, but as most irises, this reproduces better by division. The reticulate patterned bulbs divide into bulblets (offshoots) after blooms have faded and may be separated and replanted. When planting, bury bulbs to a depth of 5 in. to the base and space 1 in. apart with 40-80 per sq. ft. It tolerates summer drought but should be kept moist during the growing season. It is also deer tolerant and is less susceptible to the fungal, bacterial, and iris borer problems of other iris. Dwarf irises are good for use in beds, rock gardens, and woodland gardens in mass plantings.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Iris
- Species:
- reticulata
- Family:
- Iridaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Bulb
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 5 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
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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)
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Petals:
- 6 petals/rays
- Flower Description:
- Blue-colored cultivar; 1-several flowers at the top of a naked stem, 6-parted with 3 outer, spreading or pendent "falls" and 3 inner, erect "standards"; blooms in early spring (March)
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Rosulate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Strap-like, overlapping at base, oriented in one plane
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Diseases
- Drought
- Insect Pests
- 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:
- Causes only low toxicity if eaten. Skin irritation is 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
