Iris reticulata
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Tried and True Recommended by 5 Professionals
Common Name: reticulated iris
Type: Bulb
Family: Iridaceae
Zone: 5 to 9
Native Range: Northern and southern Turkey, northeastern Iraq, northern and western Iran, Russ
Height: 0.25 to 0.5 feet
Spread: 0.25 feet
Bloom Time: March to April
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Description: Bluish to dark purple with gold central stripe on the falls
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Low
Flowers: Showy Flowers, Fragrant Flowers
Tolerates: Drought, Black Walnuts, Deer
Uses: Cut Flower

Culture

Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun to part shade. Soil needs to stay relatively dry in summer in order for the bulbs to set buds for the following year. Plant bulbs 3-4” deep and space 3-4” apart in fall. Bulbs tend to separate into offsets or bulblets after bloom (particularly when planted shallowly), with each new bulblet requiring several years to mature. Although bulbs can be dug and divided (offsets removed) after bloom, it is probably best to do this only if flowering has significantly declined. In order to insure consistent flowering from year to year, it is an option to plant supplemental bulbs each fall, or to grow this plant as an annual by planting new bulbs each fall.

Noteworthy Characteristics

This is a purple-flowered reticulata iris. It is a low-growing bulbous iris that blooms in March to early April in the St. Louis area, at about the same time as snowdrops (Galanthus), glory-of-the-snow (Chionodoxa) and the early crocuses. Striking purple 2.5” diameter flowers with gold crests and white streaks on the falls appear on naked stems (scapes) typically growing to 4” tall. Narrow, grass-like leaves elongate to 15” after bloom, but eventually disappear by late spring as the plants go dormant. Flowers have a sweet fragrance. The species name of reticulata is in reference to the netted or reticulate pattern on the dry bulbs. Also sometimes commonly called netted iris.

Problems

No serious insect or disease problems. Fusarium basal rot is an infrequently occurring disease problem.

Garden Uses

Best massed in sunny areas of rock gardens, border fronts, along walks or along streams or ponds. Small groups of this small plant can get lost in the landscape.

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