15 Iris Reticulata Cantab (bulbs) blue with intricate yellow

Iris Reticulata Cantab
An irresistible little iris that grows no more than 5-6" tall. Petals in shades of blue with intricate yellow and white markings characterize this attractive Iris variety. Perfect for rock gardens or along a walkway where the soil is well-drained and relatively dry. Blooms in late winter along with the crocuses.

Blooms in Early Spring
Fragrant
Naturalizes
GROWING INFORMATIONS
Easily grown in average, medium moisture, 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
Iris reticulata, commonly called reticulated iris, is a bulbous perennial iris that is native to Turkey, the Caucasus, Northern Iraq and Iran. It is a low-growing purple-flowered reticulate or netted 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 6-8" tall. Flowers have a sweet fragrance. Narrow, linear, 4-sided, grass-like leaves (usually 2-4 per plant) typically rise to the same level as the flower at the time of bloom, but elongate to 12-15” after bloom before eventually disappearing by late spring as the plant goes dormant.

The species name of reticulata is in reference to the netted or reticulate pattern on the dry bulbs.

‘Harmony’ is a cultivar that features royal blue flowers with a white-rimmed gold crest on each fall. Flowers have a sweet fragrance. Narrow, grass-like leaves elongate to 15” after bloom, but eventually disappear by late spring as the plants go dormant.