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Native alternative(s) for Iris reticulata 'Harmony':
Iris cristata Form
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Dianthus deltoides Dianthus deltoides
Helleborus orientalis Flowers and leaves
Iris reticulata Flowers
Iris reticulata 'Harmony' has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

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

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.   

More information on Iris reticulata.

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See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#purple flowers#blue flowers#low maintenance#spring flowers#mass planting#disease resistant#deer resistant#rock garden#naturalized area#border front#walkway planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#insect resistant#woodland
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#poisonous#small spaces#drought tolerant#purple flowers#blue flowers#low maintenance#spring flowers#mass planting#disease resistant#deer resistant#rock garden#naturalized area#border front#walkway planting#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for horses#contact dermatitis#container plant#insect resistant#woodland
  • 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.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • 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
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
  • 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)
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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
  • 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