Popular name: Dutch iris Type of bulb: bulb


Botanists distinguish more than 200 species of irises. Some of these have bulbs, while others have short rhizomes and are classified as perennial plants. Iris germanica and I. sibirica are the two most familiar species among the perennial plants. The bulb-forming species are very useful for garden planting, and the 'Dutch iris' is used for the year-round production of cut flowers.

More planting tips
The smaller species make wonderful plants for the rock garden, or they can brighten up a barren border very early in the year. These species are beautiful when combined with any other early-flowering bulbous plants, e.g., snowdrops, snowflakes, Winter aconite, Crocus ancyrensis ‘Golden Bunch’, etc. They are also appropriate for accompanying early-flowering perennials such as Draba sibirica, Pulmonaria (Lungwort), Viola ordorata (Sweet violet), Primula Juliae Hybrids, and Hepatica.It sometimes happens that the miniature irises, because of their extremely early flowering, suffer damage from periods of late frost or ground frost. By growing them in pots, you have the possibility of moving them temporarily to a more suitable location: a cool room that receives light. High temperatures, however, are absolutely not tolerated.