Plant DetailShow Menu

Native alternative(s) for Iris reticulata:
Iris cristata Form
Iris virginica Iris virginica
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Hyacinthus orientalis Plant in Bloom
Iris reticulata 'Harmony' Iris reticulata 'Harmony'
Narcissus Narcissus
Iris reticulata has some common insect problems:
Slugs and Snails Found on Flowers and Foliage

Iris reticulata

Phonetic Spelling
EYE-riss reh-tik-yoo-LAY-tah
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

‘Harmony’ is a dwarf iris cultivar of a reticulated iris, an erect, perennial bulb in the Iridaceae (iris) family. It is 5 to 6 inches tall and 4 inches wide. The genus name Iris is shared by the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and is perhaps a nod to the wide variety of colors of flowers found in this genus. 

This iris grows best in full sun to partial shade. The fruit is a capsule, but as most irises, this plant 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 inches to the base and space 1 inch apart with 40 to 80 bulbs per square foot. 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. 

This dwarf iris is good for use in borders, along walkways, ponds, and in rock gardens, and in riparian, naturalized, or woodland areas in mass plantings. It is often grown indoors in containers to force early flowering. 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Watch for slugs and snails

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.   

More information on Iris.

Profile Video:
See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Gordon', 'Harmony', 'Katherine Hodgkin'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#blue flowers#winter interest#dwarf#mass planting#stream banks#pond margins#disease resistant#deer resistant#lavender flowers#rock garden#courtyard garden#naturalized area#flowers early spring#border front#walkway planting#spring flowering bulbs#winter flowers#problem for cats#ebh#problem for dogs#problem for horses#ebh-g#woodland garden#container plant#insect resistant
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
'Gordon', 'Harmony', 'Katherine Hodgkin'
Tags:
#bulb#showy flowers#poisonous#fragrant flowers#small spaces#houseplant#drought tolerant#purple flowers#blue flowers#winter interest#dwarf#mass planting#stream banks#pond margins#disease resistant#deer resistant#lavender flowers#rock garden#courtyard garden#naturalized area#flowers early spring#border front#walkway planting#spring flowering bulbs#winter flowers#problem for cats#ebh#problem for dogs#problem for horses#ebh-g#woodland garden#container plant#insect resistant
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Iris
    Species:
    reticulata
    Family:
    Iridaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Bulb
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    East Turkey to Iran
    Dimensions:
    Height: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 6 in.
    Width: 0 ft. 4 in. - 0 ft. 4 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Bulb
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Coarse
  • 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:
    1 flower 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 early spring (March)
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    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. They can get up to a foot long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Houseplants
    Naturalized Area
    Pond
    Riparian
    Small Space
    Walkways
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Rock Garden
    Winter Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Mass Planting
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Black Walnut
    Deer
    Drought
    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