Dwarf Iris Iris reticulata

This bulbous perennial herb of the Iris family is a dwarf variety native to Eastern Europe which blooms very early in the spring.  They grow best in morning sun to full sun in average soil with moisture supplied during the growing season and allowed to dry in the summer to set buds for the next spring bloom.  The small (2-3"), fragrant flowers are a vibrant blue to violet 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.  They are impressive in a group planting at the edge of a border, in beds, containers, and rock gardens; great for use in woodland gardens or near ponds or streams when naturalizing. The leaves are very fine and grass-like at only the height of the flowers at bloom, 6-8 inches, and rising to 12-15 inches after the flowers fade. The leaves disappear during the summer dormancy.

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 at 5 inches, but 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.  

 It is deer and drought tolerant and is less susceptible to the fungal, bacterial, and iris borer problems of other iris.  If you notice that the number of flowers are decreasing it could be that the rhizomes need to be dug up and divided or the plants are in a location that is too shady.

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

More information on Iris.