My star of the back garden at the moment is a dwarf bearded iris, you know what they say about small packages, well it is true.
A couple of years ago, this little unnamed iris was left at the end of a plant sale at church, I took pity on it and it came home with me.
I didn’t know what colour it would be, nor did I realise that it would have the most wonderful perfume!
I planted it on the alpine scree ( it used to be a raised pond), where I had made a mix of very gritty soil to suit plants that didn’t like our heavy clay and it seems very happy indeed.
I must buy more dwarf iris for this spot as I think it is ideal for them, and I also think it would suit some little species tulips in the future, as they like the same sort of growing conditions. The benefit of having them in a raised bed is that it is so easy for me to have a sniff at the delightful perfume as I’m passing!
This is beautiful Pauline. Striking color.
Thanks Susie, I think the colouring is beautiful too, lucky as I didn’t know what colour it would be!
Nice. And you prompted me to rush out into the garden and shove my nose into a newly flowering sky blue iris there. No scent so far but perhaps when the sun hits it…..
Thank you
Thanks Debbie, she is nice isn’t she and doing so well too. It was just one small leaf when I brought it home, I’m so glad I did! Thanks for stopping by Debbie and leaving a message, its good to hear from someone new!
Oh what a little gem Pauline. Both you and the iris must be so pleased that you took pity on it.
I know I am Anna and I think the iris is showing it by growing so well where it is. It really is a little gem and what I like most is that the flower is in proportion to the leaves. Sometimes on the dwarf ones, I feel the flower is too large and looks out of proportion.
It’s rewarding you for taking pity on it! I have a dwarf yellow iris, already going over, and it does smell, but not terrbly nice, so you are doubly lucky!
They don’t last very long unfortunately Cathy, but this one has quite a few more buds waiting to open, so I will be enjoying it for a while longer. I certainly am lucky in that it smells so delicious!
Hi Pauline,
Lovely little Iris! I hadn’t heard they came in dwarf (other than the spring bulbs, of course). Very pretty indeed, something to keep in mind for the future. No Irises for me this year, as they’re at my parents’ now…. Regretting that decision.
I think Liz, you can get dwarf, medium and tall bearded Iris. This one is only about 10 niches tall and looking very pretty indeed. Your parents have the benefit of your iris’ for this year, how is the house hunting going, houses down here seem to be selling very quickly at the moment.
Lovely colour Pauline, and it’s flowering earlier than one of my dwarf irises! How did that happen.
I’m amazed Christina that it is flowering earlier than yours! I like the colour too, not too bright and gaudy.
Petite and pretty, Pauline – and I don’t think I knew irises had a fragrance.
I don’t think any of my full size ones do Cathy, it was quite a surprise for me when weeding round it!
Beautiful flower, I don’t think too many other flowers do blue as well as iris…. well I guess a lot of others do, but blue and white iris are one of my favorites!
Hi Frank, blue is my favourite colour, so I try to find as many blue flowering plants as I can, I struck lucky with this one!
So you too are a plant rescuer, and you have been well rewarded! I love the color of the little iris. You are putting your old raised pond to good use!
Yes Deb, nobody wanted it, it was just labelled Dwarf Iris, so it came home with me and I’m ever so glad it did! The old raised pond was filled in when our first grandson was born, we dug a new one at the top of the garden and fenced it off so no accidents would happen. All the plants, the water, 7 frogs,1 toad, 33 newts and numerous shrimp looking things were moved to their new home, and I am now able to grow things that demand good drainage!
Good bargain, Pauline! I love the plant stalls at fetes, etc, there are some real gems lurking especially when people don’t quite know what they’re selling. This one’s a beauty – love the pure white petals against the variegated blue, so fresh and clean! I assume it’s a rhizome and will slowly spread outwards giving you years of pleasure to look forward to.
Yes Caro, it is a rhizome and has started spreading already, so I should be able to split it maybe next year. It’s amazing what you can sometimes find at a plant sale, when the sellers aren’t serious gardeners.
Such a lovely iris. You were certainly rewarded for your pity with a return well worth having. The foliage is very handsome too.
And Marian, it was free!! When we were tidying up there were a few plants left and we all chose what we wanted from the few, how lucky was I!
I love little Iris pumila and this is one I have never seen before. It is so pretty. I love the way they spread into nice clumps and bloom before the big bearded ones so you have a nice long Iris season. What a lucky chance to come across this little beauty. Do let us know if you find out its name.
Chloris, I think I was very lucky it turned out to be such a lovely plant. It is already spreading into a bigger clump, so I have high hopes for next year.
What a beauty Pauline, and perfumed too! I think adding more, and species tulips, sounds perfect, look forward to seeing it next year.
The perfume is lovely Janet and came as a complete surprise! It is so different to the other plants on the alpine scree, such a lovely colour and the leaves contrast with everything else, I’m so glad I noticed it languishing at the end of the plant sale.
Such a beautiful flower and with such a lovely scent, too.
I think that makes it perfect doesn’t it Wendy!