Plant of the Week

Iris reticulata

When there is nothing else going on in the garden in late winter, eager gardeners can count on this miniature iris to cheer them up. Available in several colors, it is a very small plant with a large, fragrant flower, and looks wonderful surrounded by very early miniature crocus (regular crocus will bloom too late) of a contrasting color. The combination is a lovely addition to the garden, and will bloom early to late March from Glenwood to Basalt, a bit later closer to Aspen. Flowers in March - yippee!


Since iris reticulata it is only 5” -7” tall, it should be planted in your more southern-facing gardens in very visible spots.  You want it next to a walkway or right outside your window where you’ll be able to see and enjoy this diminuitive charmer.

The ideal place for this combination is in a rock garden, or on a slight slope where it will show very well.

Don’t plant these in a deer traffic area, their hooves will destroy the little flowers and make you sad. And we don’t want sad gardeners!

Look around your garden this spring to find locations that would look good with this plant combination, then order them early to plant this Fall.  Or call us to get on our schedule for Fall bulb planting – it’s so easy to forget until it’s too late!  You don't want another Spring to pass with no March flowers, do you?

Don’t skimp on these bulbs, they show best if planted in groups of at least 20 bulbs each. The crocuses sometimes start week earlier than the iris, so we plant them a tad deeper than usual to delay them a bit. Timing is everything……

Some nice yellow miniature crocuses are Crocus 'Uschak Orange, Crocus korolkowii, and Crocus “Early Gold'. For a good miniature crocus selection - http://www.odysseybulbs.com/springcrocus.html

More information on iris reticulata http://www.theplantexpert.com/springbulbs/DwarfIris.html

A favorite iris reticulata – wonderful blue! http://www.bluestoneperennials.com/b/bp/BIRHA.html