Iris reticulata is a very low-growing, fragrant plant that blooms from late February through
early April. They derived their species name (reticulata) from the netted or
reticulate pattern on the dry bulbs. Easily forced in the house for Christmas and early spring
blooms, or grown outdoors in average, well-drained soil.
Usually blooming about the same time as some of the other small spring bulbs such as snowdrops
(Galanthus), glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) and the early crocuses. They have
been extensively cultivated, resulting in over a dozen different named varieties, most in beautiful
shades of blue and purple.
The flowers are composed of six petal-like segments: the three outer ones, called falls, are
generally reflexed, or point outward; the three inner ones, called standards, point upward and are
usually smaller than the falls.
The striking 2-3½ inch flowers range in varing shades of blue, purple or yellow and are borne on
naked stems growing to 6 inches tall. Their flowers are quite large in relationship to the plant
as a whole, and have a sweet violet fragrance. Some varieties have a gold central stripe and white
streaks on the falls.
Their narrow, grass-like, four sided leaves elongate to 15 inches after bloom, but eventually disappear
in late spring. One drawback is that they develop many leaves during the flowering stage,
diminishing an otherwise dramatic appearance
Because of the small size of the plants at bloom time, a large number need to be planted in order
to achieve an impressive drift of color. Massing is best done in sunny areas of the rock garden,
front of borders, under trees and shrubs, or naturalized along streams and ponds.
They can be left undisturbed for several years or divided after blooming and replanted in the
fall. Bulbs should be divided when flower quality declines and to increase stock. Division is
usually done in September with immediate replanting. The plants greatly benefit from an application
of bone meal at planting time and also after blooming.
