Iris pumila Jewel Baby - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris pumila 'Jewel Baby' is a dwarf iris with violet flowers that blooms early in the season, usually in April. Its flowers are large compared to the height of the plant, which quickly forms colourful clumps. It is perfect for creating a lovely spring decoration in rockeries, planters, borders, and on large banks.

Iris pumila 'Jewel Baby' is a small rhizomatous perennial plant from the Iridaceae family. It belongs to a horticultural group called SDB (Standard Dwarf Bearded). In this group, hybrids between the I. pumila, which is truly dwarf, and the grand garden iris can be found. Of modest size, dwarf irises bloom before the large ones, but after the true dwarf irises. All these plants belong to the Iridaceae family.

From spring onwards, 'Jewel Baby' forms small upright clumps. Its foliage is deciduous and is absent in winter. The plant reaches a height of 30cm (12in) when flowering and the clump spreads without a theoretical limit over time, with the rhizomes in the centre becoming bare in favour of the outer ones. The slightly glaucous green foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves. In March, short flower stems appear that will bloom in April (earlier or later depending on the climate). The flower stems generally bear a solitary flower at their tip. The flower, 5 to 6 cm (2in) in diameter, consists of three upright violet-purple petals surmounting 3 almost horizontal sepals of the same violet-purple colour, but striped with darker violet. The beards are bluish-violet.

Obtained by Salle in 1984 - Award: Honourable mention in 1989

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil), their "respectful" growth with irises (low plants or light foliage), and their complementary style (appearance, flowering date). For example, gauras will provide little shade and will keep the deflowered iris bed attractive throughout summer. Eschscholzia will be content with dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and libertia also accompany irises very well. A dense planting of old diploid varieties can stabilise banks and patio edges. These irises can remain in place and require little care.

For rockeries, stony and dry meadows, limestone plateaus, rocky embankments, and green roofs: use the full range of irises. Border edges are the domain of border irises, but also of dwarf irises!