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Iris germanica Dinky Circus - Dwarf Bearded Iris

Iris germanica Dinky Circus
Bearded Iris

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Small early bearded iris, it flowers in April, close to the ground, in rock gardens, dry borders and pots. Its white flowers are strongly bordered and veined with purplish violet and have a nearly black beard.  
Height at maturity
15 cm
Spread at maturity
20 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -15°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil
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Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time April
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Description

Iris 'Dinky Circus' is a dwarf iris that opens the iris season beautifully with its white flower heavily veined with purplish violet. This small variety known as "plicata" has an interesting pattern in the foreground of a rock garden, in a trough or on top of a low wall. It blooms early, at the same time as small spring bulbs.

This cultivar is part of the dwarf miniature bearded irises, the smallest bearded irises grown in gardens. The plant is perennial, it has a horizontal fleshy rootstock that spreads slowly just at the soil surface. It forms a small dense clump, composed of narrow, upright, sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green. The foliage renews after flowering and can almost disappear in winter in cold regions. The flowering of this variety 'Dinky Circus' takes place in April, before that of tall bearded irises. The flowers open just above the foliage. Each bears three upright petals, white, broadly edged and veined with purplish violet, and three trailing white sepals with a finer purplish border and dark lines that radiate from the beard. The beard is blackish violet, lighter at the base. The plicata pattern does not extend over the entire flower; it creates a network of borders, veins and pits on a light background. The flowers emit a light fragrance.

'Dinky Circus' was registered in 1998 by American hybridizer Paul Black. It is derived from the cross Inky Dinky × Flea Circus. The American Iris Society has distinguished it three times: Honorable Mention in 2000, Award of Merit in 2002 and Caparne-Welch Medal in 2004, an award specifically for dwarf miniature bearded irises.

Use Iris 'Dinky Circus' in a low border, rock garden, at the edge of a path or in a trough to admire its flowering up close. You can associate it with small spring bulbs such as botanical tulips and crocuses in spring or autumn to spread out the flowering seasons. Among perennials, choose those that won't smother its rootstocks: Armeria maritima 'Düsseldorfer Stolz', blue fescue 'Easy Blue' or Lewisia cotyledon mix, for example.

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Garden iris, bearded iris: planting, care
Family sheet
by Virginie T. 13 min.
Garden iris, bearded iris: planting, care
Read article

Flowering

Flower colour two-tone
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Cluster
Fragrance Fragrant sweet and pronounced fragrance

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 15 cm
Spread at maturity 20 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

germanica

Cultivar

Dinky Circus

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference26100

Planting and care

The dwarf iris ‘Dinky Circus’ is planted from July to October, when it is in the form of a rootstock. Place it in full sun, in very well-drained soil, even poor and lime-bearing or stony soil. Position the rootstock almost at the surface, with the roots spread downwards; the top must remain visible. Water generously at planting to ensure good contact between soil and roots, then only during dry periods in the weeks following establishment. Subsequently, watering will be unnecessary. Cut off the small faded flower stalks after flowering. Divide the clump every three or four years, in summer, when the centre flowers less.

Planting period

Best planting time September to October
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -15°C (USDA zone 7b) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 5 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil well-drained

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the flower stems at the end of flowering.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time April
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground

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