Dwarf Iris Iris reticulata
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Dwarf Iris:
- Phonetic Spelling
- EYE-riss reh-tik-yoo-LAY-tah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
The dwarf iris is a bulbous perennial herb in the Iridacea (iris) family native to eastern Europe which blooms very early in the spring. It is only 4 to 6 inches high 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 morning sun to full sun in average, well-drained soil with moisture supplied during the growing season. It is drought-tolerant and should be allowed to dry in the summer to set buds for the next spring bloom. It reproduces best by division. The reticulate patterned bulb divides into bulblets (offshoots) after blooms have faded and may be separated and replanted at 5 inches deep, but may take several years to mature. If the number of blooms is decreasing, it is recommended to separate and plant these bulblets or treat this iris as an annual by planting additional bulbs every fall.
The small, fragrant flowers are a vibrant blue to violet or white. The leaves are fine and grasslike at only the height of the flowers at bloom, 6 to 8 inches, and rise to 12 to 15 inches after the flowers fade. The leaves disappear during the summer dormancy. Once established dwarf iris is drought tolerant and it is resistant to browsing by deer.
Dwarf iris is impressive in a mass planting at the edge of a border, along walkways, in beds, containers, and rock gardens. It is also excellent for use in woodland gardens or near ponds and streams when naturalizing. Group them in small spaces like courtyard gardens, along patios or walkways. Consider planting these purple blooming beauties in a cutting garden where the blooms can be enjoyed both indoors and out.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is less susceptible to the fungal, bacterial, and iris borer problems of other iris.
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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- 'Gordon'
Lavender top and dark purple tounge with yellow
'Harmony'
- 'Katherine Hodgkin'
Lavender flowers with stripes on petals
Vibrant royal blue flowers - 'Gordon'
- 'Gordon', 'Harmony', 'Katherine Hodgkin'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Gordon'
Lavender top and dark purple tounge with yellow
'Harmony'
- 'Katherine Hodgkin'
Lavender flowers with stripes on petals
Vibrant royal blue flowers - 'Gordon'
- 'Gordon', 'Harmony', 'Katherine Hodgkin'
- Tags:
-
-
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.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Bulb
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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, 6b, 6a, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9b, 9a
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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:
- 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)
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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.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Naturalized Area
- Pond
- Riparian
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cutting Garden
- 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
