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Bulbs

Iris histrioides

A compact perennial bulb, to around 15cm high, with upright, broadly sword-shaped, angled green leaves. Flowers are produced alongside the new leaves in early spring, and are violet blue with white markings and a yellow ridge on the falls

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Loam

Sand

Chalk

Moisture

Well–drained, Moist but well–drained

pH

Neutral, Alkaline

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained neutral or slightly alkaline soil in sun or part shade. See bulb iris cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed, sown in pots in a cold frame in autumn or spring. Lift and separate bulbs in early autumn

Suggested planting locations and garden types

City and courtyard gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Rock garden

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spots, ink disease, rust diseases, bulb rot and viruses; see Iris diseases for more details

Get involved

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