Iris x hollandica Mix

Here is a mixture of Dutch Iris (x) hollandica, featuring numerous varieties of Dutch Irises with various colours. These bulbous irises produce flowers of a good size, stylised, brightly coloured, in late spring or early summer, more or less early depending on the climate and the varieties. They stand out for their elegance and their ability to be used in mass plantings, as well as in bouquets. While the flowers of these irises are highly appreciated in floristry, they are also very beautiful in the garden, planted in large groups among large perennials or near flowering shrubs.

Dutch Irises, or bulbous irises, have an underground storage organ in the form of a bulb, unlike their famous cousins, the Bearded Irises (Iris germanica). Belonging to the same botanical family as the bearded irises, the iris (x) hollandica also differs from them by the absence of "beards", those pretty little fluffy and coloured tongues found on the drooping sepals of bearded irises. The iris (x) hollandica have never grown wild on Dutch soil, but are the result of cross-breeding between two main botanical species: Iris filifolia, sometimes confused with Iris xyphium which resembles it—both originating from Spain and North Africa—and Iris tingitana, from Tangier and Northern Morocco. The genealogy of Dutch hybrids is sometimes confusing, but the result is always remarkable. Their flowers, a little underused in the garden, are highly appreciated in floristry.

Over time, Dutch Irises form an erect and very narrow clump about 50-60 cm (20-24in) tall when in bloom. These perennial plants spread indefinitely through the production of bulblets. They generally bloom in May-June, for 2 to 3 weeks, on sturdy stems facing the wind. The solitary or paired flowers on the stems are 8-15 cm (3-6in) in diameter and relatively thin compared to those of Bearded Irises, but undeniably elegant. They have 3 upright, slender, translucent petals. Beneath this trio are 3 sepals arranged in quincunx. They are upright at the base, drooping at the tip, sometimes almost horizontal, closely connected to the dentate petal-like styles along the edges. Wider, they are spatulate and marked with a golden yellow spot. Each flower can thrive for 5 to 7 days, even in a vase. The bulb is round, 2 to 3 cm (1in) wide, covered with a fibrous tunic of a rosy beige colour. It produces a few linear, thin and leathery leaves, somewhat resembling those of a grass, with a slightly glaucous green colour, often slightly striated and folded in half towards the ground. They often appear in autumn, persist to a greater or lesser extent depending on the severity of the winter, and dry up in summer during the dormant period.

Less known and less used by gardeners than bearded Irises, Dutch Irises are nevertheless easy to grow in light and fertile soil and have undeniable elegance. Plant them in groups of 10 to 20 bulbs: they will come back year after year to offer you more and more elegant and cheerful flowers, which go well with the spring flowers of flowering shrubs. They are also superb when planted among perennials such as peonies and daylilies, which will hide their absence in summer, when they are dormant. Their Mediterranean origins give them excellent adaptation to summer drought. Finally, pick their flowers to make bouquets with roses, arums, lilies or even late tulips. All irises need a sunny exposure to flower well. Give them at least half a day of full sun.