Iris Blue Denim - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris 'Blue Denim' is a lovely variety of dwarf iris, forming beautiful small flowering clumps in April. Its bearded flowers are light blue with subtle purple highlights. A vibrant variety that adds a touch of blue to borders, slopes, and rockeries.

Iris 'Blue Denim', or Lilliput Garden Iris 'Blue Denim', is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant with an upright clumping habit from spring. It belongs to the Iridaceae family. It is one of the many modest-sized cultivars that appeared in the 1950s. Originally, the 'lilliput' category referred to the cross-breeding of an Iris pumila and a tall iris. This term now generally refers to the category of Standard Dwarf Bearded (SDB) Irises. 'Blue Denim' will reach 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) high in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It has dense clumping foliage of long, sword-shaped, glaucous green leaves with prominent veins. Floral stems appear in March which bloom in April, amidst the rockery iris season, blooming from the top downwards towards the lower branches. The colour is enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their requirements (exposure, soil...), vegetation (low-growing or light foliage), decorative appearance and flowering period. For example, Gaura will cast little shade on the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be happy with the same dry and poor soil as irises. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also pair well with irises. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense plantings of old diploid varieties that require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, one can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates, which are less likely to be knocked over.

Path Edging: The entire range can be used, from early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in) to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises may need staking to prevent them from being flattened.

Border Planting: The domain of irises... border irises, but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed Border: The entire size range can be used, to be chosen based on placement (front, back) and the size of neighbouring plants.