These Dainty Rock Garden Iris Put on a Big Show
These dainty Rock Garden Iris put on a big show during the late winter. Perhaps not a big show, but their striking violet flowers with contrasting yellow crest are a delight to see. The beautiful flowers coupled with their mild scent will persuade you to get on the ground and observe them on eye level. With an unseasonably warm winter, they have began blooming here in Southeastern Pennsylvania in mid-February.
Iris reticulata ‘Pixie’ is a small, bulbous perennial plant that belongs to the iris family. The reticulated iris group consists of a number of small bulbous irises whose bulbs have netted or reticulate bulb coverings (tunics) on the dry bulbs. All species of reticulated iris are native to western Asia (Turkey, Caucasus, Lebanon, northern Iraq and Iran).
The ‘Pixie’ cultivar is a compact, early-flowering variety of Iris reticulata, with striking blue-violet flowers that have a yellow and white pattern on the falls (lower petals). The blooms are usually 2-3 inches wide and appear in late winter to early spring, making them a welcome sight in the garden after the long winter months.
To use Iris reticulata ‘Pixie’ in the garden, you can plant them in drifts or clumps in rock gardens, borders, or containers. They work well when planted in groups and can be mixed with other spring-blooming bulbs such as crocuses, snowdrops, and daffodils to create a colorful display. They will also make good companions with plants like Adonis vernalis, which will glean out some of that yellow crest with their yellow blooms, as well as Muscari and Hyacinth. In fact, the combination of Rock Garden Iris, Muscari, and Hyacinth creates a lovely combination for early floral container displays. This can be accomplished by potting them up, followed by a cooling period at a consistent, dark 35°F to 48°F for six to eight weeks with moderate watering. Then just bring them into the house, and you will see your floral display bloom two to four weeks later.
In the garden, it’s essential to plant them in well-drained soil in a sunny or partially shaded location. Planting bulbs in a gritty soil on a slope helps meet the changing soil moisture requirements. This will provide the moist soil in the growing season, and the well-drained, dry soil in the dormant season that will allow the bulbs to set buds for the following season. In the garden, they grow to a height of around 6 inches and require minimal care, making them an ideal choice for low-maintenance gardens.
After flowering, allow the foliage to die back naturally before removing it. This will allow the plant to store energy in the bulb for next year’s blooms. In the fall, you can divide the bulbs every few years to prevent overcrowding and ensure continued healthy growth.
Overall, Iris reticulata ‘Pixie’ is an excellent choice for adding early spring color to your garden and is a charming addition to any bulb collection. To grow your own, visit Van Engelen for wholesale orders, or Brent and Becky’s Bulbs for retail orders.
