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Monday, 20 February 2012

Iris Reticulata - variations on a theme

In my garden the Irises are usually amongst the earliest plants to flower (beaten only by the Crocuses), so I see them as indicators that the Winter is coming to an end. For me one of their main advantages is that they are short plants and less prone to wind-damage than taller ones would be, and in the Late Winter / Early Spring we often get very strong winds.

This post is simply a collection of photos of my various types of Iris Reticulata, all currently in bloom. I don't have many of them, but as individual flowers I think they are incredibly beautiful. And they come in lots of different colours...

















Yes, I think I ought to get a few more of these... Can you get yellow ones? I know that you can get large yellow ones, so presumably small varieties are available too.
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10 comments:

  1. Sue Garrett20 February 2012 at 17:56

    Yes you can get yellow ones! We have some newly planted iris which are a sort of greyish blue - I'd have thought they'd have been on flower by now but they're just popping through!

    Do your irises flower every year as I was told they often don't flower after the first time.

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  2. Anonymous20 February 2012 at 18:45

    What lovely colours they are, so cheerful.

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  3. Green Dragonette20 February 2012 at 19:54

    Hi Mark,

    Loved your photos of the iris.
    Yes I do know of a couple of yellow iris

    ‘Lutescens - New - Originates from Castellon, Spain - A nice small form of bearded iris in shades of yellow. Needs a sunny spot in a raised bed or in pots. Has tufts of sword like foliage. April flowering.

    winogradowii - a rare species native to the Caucasus. Bright yellow with green on the falls. A must for the collector and popular with AGS and SRGC members. Best in Alpine house or plant in light well drained position in a raised bed. Outstanding Ht. 4in (7cm).'

    Both were available last year from a lovely small friendly company www.miniaturebulbs.co.uk

    They have a wonderful selection of miniature bulbs though you do have to get in quick once they open up to each year’s orders.

    Hope that helps!

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  4. Jo20 February 2012 at 20:03

    I do love Iris's, those purple ones look almost velvety.

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  5. Lucy Corrander Now in Halifax!20 February 2012 at 20:35

    Yes, you can get yellow ones. They too are lovely. I used to grow both colours in bowls indoors - and miniature tulips at the same time too - but I haven't managed to get them to grow outside.

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  6. Marina20 February 2012 at 22:12

    Amazing irises. Although I am afraid to plant any bulbs for a while after squirrels dug out all my crocuses last fall.

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  7. Kanak21 February 2012 at 09:15

    They're indeed very pretty! And they come in so many colours too! The most common iris around our parts is the Walking Iris. They'll be blooming soon.

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  8. becky308621 February 2012 at 16:28

    I hadn't seen the small ones like that. How nice!

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  9. David22 February 2012 at 01:03

    Lovely harbinger of spring.

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  10. Janet/Plantaliscious23 February 2012 at 09:17

    One of my favourites flowers - though I always grow mine in pots. Maybe in the next garden I will try some in the ground - and expand my colour palette!

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