Iris Petit Bijou

Iris Petit Bijou, also known as Dwarf Bearded Iris, blooms early in April with elegant and well-opened flowers, with creamy yellow petals and sepals, marked with a brown patch around a discreet orange beard with a white base. This slightly taller and very floriferous variety is perfect for creating a beautiful spring display in rockeries and borders.

Iris 'Petit Bijou' is a perennial rhizomatous and deciduous plant, with an upright tufted shape from spring onwards. It belongs to the Iridaceae family and is one of the many modestly 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 designates the category of standard dwarf Bearded Iris (SDB). 'Petit Bijou' is slightly larger than the usual Lilliput irises and will reach 30 cm (12in) high when in bloom, with numerous buds. The tuft will spread without a theoretical limit over time, with the centre rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. It has a dense tufted habit and rapid growth. The foliage consists of long, glaucous green, and highly veined sword-shaped leaves. Floral stems appear in March which will bloom in April, opening from the top towards the lower branches. The colour is, as always with garden irises, enhanced by the texture of the petals and sepals.

Breeder: Bourdillon 2001.

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil...), their vegetation (low plants or light foliage), their decorative appearance and flowering date. For example, Gaura will provide little shade to the irises and will keep the faded iris bed attractive throughout the summer. Eschscholzia will be satisfied with a dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and Libertia also complement irises very well. Slopes and terraced edges can be stabilised by dense planting of old diploid varieties that can remain in place and require little care. If the goal is more decorative and access for maintenance is possible, you can choose more modern varieties, such as intermediates that are less likely to be knocked over.

Path border: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs less than 40 cm (16in) tall, 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, exposed to the wind, may need staking to prevent them from being flattened.

Flower bed: the domain of border irises, but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, chosen according to the position (foreground, background) and the size of the surrounding plants.