Dwarf Iris.

[PeterBirder]

We bought some Dwarf Iris the other day and potted them up to add a little early spring colour to a corner of the garden. Today's sunshine has caused them to burst into flower. They're only about 6 in high.

Here they are, watched over by our faithful "guard frog".


Here's some close-ups taken with the 60mm macro.









Thanks for looking.

[Imageryone]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Never seen these before,they are very delicate, but just like their big brothers. A nice patch of colour for the spring.

[Floribunda]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Peter - they are the very lovely "Peacock Iris".
I have some in a pot too. Tiny little bulbs that multiply beautifully.
Lovely to see yours doing so well.

[OlyPaul]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Very unusual Peter, never seen those before.

[Chevvyf1]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

WoW ! Great tiny flowers I have never seen these either the last frame does it for me terrific dof

[PeterBirder]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Many thanks for your replies Dave, Lyn,Paul and Chevvy.

Peter - they are the very lovely "Peacock Iris".
I have some in a pot too. Tiny little bulbs that multiply beautifully.
Lovely to see yours doing so well.

That's interesting Lyn.
The label that came with them calls them "Alida", maybe "Peacock Iris" is an Oz term. I did a bit of research on the internet and discovered that people in the south of the UK find they behave as annuals whilst in Scotland they multiply well as yours do. Very strange, maybe something done by plant breeders to increase sales.

Regards.

[Ann1e]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

What rich colours, Peter - beautifully complemented by the pot.

Most of the peacock irises shown on the UK sites are white, although there are some blue ones. The name seems to come from the marking which does look like a peacock's display.

I am having a really disappointing year with bulbs in the garden - the snowdrops have failed to appear, although they are now plentiful in the hedgerows and we have far fewer crocuses (croci?) - the birds seem to have pecked a lot of the bulbs out of the ground.

Regards,
Ann1e

[PeterBirder]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

What rich colours, Peter - beautifully complemented by the pot.

Regards,
Ann1e

Thanks Anne.

The pot was a bit of "Pot Luck" actually.

Sandra bought the Irises/Irisi ( and some Snowdrops ) on a whim when we picked up our daughter from the garden centre where she works. When we got home the only two suitable pots I could find were the blue ones.

Serendipity.

[Floribunda]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Many thanks for your replies Dave, Lyn,Paul and Chevvy.



That's interesting Lyn.
The label that came with them calls them "Alida", maybe "Peacock Iris" is an Oz term. I did a bit of research on the internet and discovered that people in the south of the UK find they behave as annuals whilst in Scotland they multiply well as yours do. Very strange, maybe something done by plant breeders to increase sales.

Regards.

Peter - I may be quite wrong here. . I have both blue and white and have always presumed they were the same variety, but perhaps not. The white certainly have the "peacock" markings more definite than your blue.
Whatever - they are gorgeous little things.

[PeterBirder]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Hi Lyn.

I've done some more research and I think your Peacock Iris' may be Iris moraea which originate in S.Africa. Some of them have similar markings to mine but apparently are larger, growing up to 12in (30.5cm) high.

Mine are Iris reticulata which only grow to 6in (15.25cm).

Amazing what you can learn through this forum.

Regards.

[Floribunda]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Hi Lyn.

I've done some more research and I think your Peacock Iris' may be Iris moraea which originate in S.Africa. Some of them have similar markings to mine but apparently are larger, growing up to 12in (30.5cm) high.

Mine are Iris reticulata which only grow to 6in (15.25cm).

Amazing what you can learn through this forum.


Regards.

Thanks Peter - I have been googling too, you are spot on. I have wondered why my blue ones were shorter than the white! Duh! Sorry for muddying the waters! I have learned something too!

[timmypreston]

Re: Dwarf Iris.

Fantastic blue colours!