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Iris Reticulata Dwarf Mixed

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Add a burst of vibrant colour to your garden with Iris Reticulata Dwarf Mixed (Iris reticulata), a charming dwarf iris that brings a lively mix of blue, purple, yellow, and white blooms, often with striking markings. The soft ruffled edges of each flower add an elegant touch, while the short, slender, grass-like foliage and low flower stalks make it perfect for smaller spaces or containers. Bursting into life for 3–7 days, these cheerful flowers bring a splash of colour at the end of winter and into spring, offering an early source of beauty when most other flowers are still dormant. Thriving in a variety of climates, from cool to subtropical, Iris Reticulata Dwarf Mixed loves a moderately wet spring and well-drained soil. In areas with cold to cool winters and dry summers, it can naturalise effortlessly, rewarding you with joyful displays year after year, whether planted in rockeries, borders, or pots.

Description

Iris Reticulata

Iris Reticulata Dwarf Mixed (Iris reticulata) is a stunning dwarf iris from the Iridaceae family. These bulbous perennials regenerate each year from their underground bulbs, delivering vibrant colour from late winter to early spring. Native to Eastern Europe, they thrive in cold to cool climates and adapt well to warmer regions with a cool winter. Each bulb produces flowers in a mix of colours, including blue, purple, yellow, and white, often with striking markings or contrasting patterns. Known for their early blooms, Iris reticulata brightens gardens when few other flowers bloom. Their subtle fragrance makes them ideal for borders, pots, and rockeries.

Uses

  • Garden Features: Brightens up rockeries, borders, and the front of garden beds with its vivid blooms.
  • Containers: Perfect for pots and patio displays, especially when planted in dense clumps.
  • Naturalising: Ideal for undisturbed garden areas, where the bulbs will multiply over time.
  • Cut Flowers: The delicate, fragrant blooms make beautiful additions to small bouquets.

Climate Suitability

Iris reticulata is hardy and frost-tolerant, thriving in cool to cold climates where its petals stand resilient against frosty conditions and winter weather. While it flourishes in colder regions, it can adapt to warmer areas with proper care. However, it is unsuitable for tropical climates, as a cold winter is essential for promoting optimal flowering.

How to Plant

When to Plant: Plant them in autumn to give the bulbs enough time to establish roots before the onset of winter.

Soil Preparation:

  • Prepare well-drained, humus-rich soil to support healthy growth.
  • Ensure the soil has a slightly alkaline to neutral pH; you can add lime if needed to balance acidity.
  • Avoid using manure, as it can lower the pH and affect bulb development.

Planting Depth and Spacing:

  • Plant the bulbs 5-8 cm deep to protect them from frost and provide stability.
  • Space the bulbs 5 cm apart for a dense, vibrant display of flowers.

Light Requirements:

  • Position bulbs in a location with full sun to semi-shade. This balance of light encourages robust flowering and foliage development.

Watering:

  • After planting, water thoroughly to help settle the soil around the bulbs.
  • For bulbs planted in pots, water moderately after planting and during bloom to keep the soil evenly moist. Avoid overwatering, as excess moisture can lead to bulb rot.

Aftercare

Watering:

  • Provide consistent moisture during the growing season but reduce watering once the foliage begins to die back.
  • Avoid overwatering during dormancy to prevent bulb rot.

Fertilising:

  • Not necessary if the soil is well-prepared.
  • Use a light application of blood and bone after leaves emerge in poor soil.

Maintenance:

  • Allow foliage to die back naturally so bulbs can store energy for the next season.
  • Bulbs can remain undisturbed for years, multiplying steadily to create a self-sustaining display.
  • If lifting is needed, do so once foliage is completely dry, and store bulbs in a cool, airy location.

Division

  • Divide every 3–5 years during the dormant period (autumn) to prevent overcrowding.
  • Who Needs to Lift Bulbs: Gardeners in regions with overly wet summers, poorly draining soil, or who wish to reorganise their planting.
  • Store divided bulbs in a cool, dry place if not immediately replanting.

Pests and Diseases

Slugs and snails may damage foliage and flowers in wet conditions—use barriers or deterrents. Aphids can appear in warmer weather; remove them with insecticidal soap or predators. Prevent bulb rot by planting in well-draining soil and maintaining moderate watering.

Safety

Iris reticulata, like other irises, is harmful if ingested. While smaller than Dutch irises, they share similar toxicity and should be handled with care.

  • Pets and Children: Keep bulbs, leaves, and flowers out of reach, as ingestion may cause stomach upset.
  • Handling Bulbs: Wear gloves when handling bulbs, especially if you have sensitive skin, to avoid irritation.
  • Precaution: If ingestion occurs, seek medical advice promptly.

Caution: Harmful if eaten.

Supplied as dormant bulbs.

Additional information

Price Code

B – Aqua Pack

Botanical Name

Iris reticulata

Quantity in Pack

4 Bulbs

Flowering Time

Late Winter to Spring

Planting Time

Plant from March onwards

Growing Height

15 cm

Planting Depth

5-8 cm

Soil

Iris reticulata thrives in well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. For garden planting, improve poor or dry soil by incorporating organic matter like compost or well-rotted leaf mold. Check the pH, and if it is too acidic, add lime to adjust it. Avoid using manure, as it can lower the pH. If planting in pots, a high-quality, well-draining potting mix is sufficient, but you can enhance it with added sand or grit for optimal drainage.

How to Plant

To plant Iris reticulata in the ground, choose a sunny to partially shaded spot with well-drained, humus-rich soil that is neutral to slightly alkaline. For garden beds, planting in clusters will create a more vibrant and eye-catching display. Dig holes 5–8 cm deep and space bulbs 5 cm apart within each cluster. Place the bulbs with the pointed end facing upwards, then gently cover with soil and water thoroughly to help them settle and encourage root growth.

For pots, use a well-draining potting mix enriched with sand or grit to mimic their natural environment. Bulbs can be planted slightly closer together in pots, leaving around 3 cm between them, while maintaining a planting depth of 5–8 cm. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. After planting, water the soil to settle it and support initial growth.

Watering

Iris reticulata requires moderate moisture during its blooming and active growth period, thriving in well-drained soil that is kept evenly moist but not soggy. After planting, if the ground or potting mix is dry, water thoroughly to help the bulbs settle. However, if the soil is already wet, a light watering will suffice to avoid waterlogging. As the plants bloom from late winter into spring, or slightly later in some climates, maintain light, consistent watering in both garden beds and pots to support healthy growth and vibrant flowers.

When the foliage begins to die back, gradually reduce watering to allow the bulbs to transition into dormancy. During dormancy, the bulbs should remain mostly dry to prevent rot. In hot, dry climates, occasional light watering may be needed to prevent the soil in pots or garden beds from becoming excessively cracked, but this should be minimal. In areas with regular summer rain or increasing rainfall throughout autumn and winter, ensure pots have adequate drainage and garden beds are well-drained to avoid waterlogging.

Fertilise

If the soil is already humus-rich, additional fertilising is usually unnecessary for Iris reticulata. However, for naturalised bulbs or those in poorer soils, an annual feeding can help sustain their health and blooms over time. Apply blood and bone or a low-nitrogen bulb fertiliser after the leaves emerge in late winter or early spring to support active growth. Avoid using manure, as it can lower the soil’s pH, and consider adding lime if the soil is too acidic to maintain the neutral to slightly alkaline conditions these bulbs prefer. Regular feeding ensures naturalised bulbs continue to thrive year after year.

Pruning

Iris reticulata requires minimal pruning. After flowering, leave the foliage intact until it turns yellow and withers completely, allowing the bulbs to store energy for future blooms. Once the leaves have fully died back, cut them to ground level. For long-term maintenance, divide clumps every 3–5 years, ideally in late summer or early autumn when the bulbs are dormant. Lift the bulbs gently, separate them, and replant in fresh, well-drained soil, spacing them 5 cm apart to prevent overcrowding and encourage consistent flowering.

For pots, once the foliage dies back, you can either leave the bulbs in the pot for the next season or lift them for storage, depending on your climate.
In regions with wet summers, bulbs can be lifted to prevent rot. If the ground is damp when lifting, allow the bulbs to dry out in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated space for several days before storage. Drying the bulbs helps prevent fungal infections and ensures they remain healthy during dormancy. Store fully dried bulbs in a breathable container in a cool, dry location. However, bulbs are only worth saving if you live in a climate with cold to cool winters, as these conditions are essential for re-flowering. For those in warmer, humid climates without sufficient winter chill, treat Iris reticulata as annuals and purchase fresh bulbs each year for reliable blooms.

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