We love: Iris reticulata

Posted:3 March 2019

One of our spring favourites and ideally suited to pots or planters: Iris reticulata (family Iridaceae) is a dwarf, bulbous perennial to 15cm in height, with narrow, stiffly erect leaves and fragrant, deep violet-purple flowers 8cm in width, each fall marked with a central yellow ridge.

Iris reticulata are often scented and strongly coloured – look out for Iris Katharine Hodgkin, Iris reticulata Gordon, Iris reticulata Harmony and Iris reticulata Pixie. They do better under well-drained conditions with a warm, dry summer rest. Plant the rhizomes 5-10cm apart at twice their own depth. To propagate new stocks, divide bulbs from mid-summer to early autumn.

Iris reticulata hail from Russia, the Caucasus and Northern Iran.