Iris henryi and Iris cristata

IRIS HENRYI, A CHINESE WOODLAND IRIS THAT IS SMALL, AND FLORIFEROUS
This past weekend, a pot of Iris henryi, a rare woodland iris from China attracted a lot of attention at our garden party for the New England Primrose Society. Jim Almond, the guest speaker, particularly pointed it out. Darell Probst shared it with us  a while back, and the pot was a division that we had not planted yet. Look for this gem on-line from the few retailers who carry it. It is still hard to find, but Darell’s selection is starting to show up at a few nurseries who specialize in rare and interesting plants.

IRIS CRISTATA
Not up for a rarity? Then try this miniature woodland iris that is much more common, but still only found in the gardens of those who are a little more serious about gardening – Iris cristata. Often found in the wild flower section of your nursery, this creeping tiny iris will create a carpet of flowers (albeit for a few days!) every spring. The color is luscious, and it always surprises me when I see it in bloom. Everyone who sees this in bloom in our garden, wants a piece of it. It spread fast, but never should you consider this as a ‘ground cover’, for it will cover the ground, but one must weed around it regularly.

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Comments

  1. Joe Pye Weed's Garden ( jpwflowers.com/) sells some gorgeous varieties of Iris cristata, including the cultivar 'Dick Redfield,' which is high on my 'want list.' They also other interesting species iris, great primroses and an amazing variety of siberians. Iris sibirica 'Pretty Woman,' one of their hybrids, is the most popular iris in our Trial Garden.

  2. I only wanted to say that I love your blog and is one of my favourites.
    We are far away, but I read it every week.
    Congratulations.

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