Iris x hollandica Purple Sensation

The Iris (x) hollandica Purple Sensation provides those who admire its stylized flower under the June sun with an intense sensation of dark violet-purple, awakened by a touch of vibrant yellow on the sepals. The elegant flowers of this bulbous iris truly vibrate in the light, surrounded by fine linear foliage that forms ribbons. Sculptural and brightly coloured, the flowers of Dutch Iris stand out for their elegance in the garden, as well as in bouquets. They are easy to cultivate in full sun, in fertile and well-drained soil.

Dutch Iris, or bulbous iris, have an underground reserve organ in the form of a bulb, unlike their famous cousins, the German Iris or garden iris, which have rhizomes. Belonging to the same botanical family as the German Iris, the Iridaceae family, they also differ by the absence of "beards", the pretty little fluffy and colourful tongues found on the drooping sepals of German Iris. The first Dutch Iris (x) never grew in the 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 native to 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, somewhat under-utilized in the garden, are highly appreciated in floristry.

The 'Purple Sensation' cultivar forms an erect and very narrow clump of 60 cm (24in) in flower, a perfect size for perennial borders. The plant spreads indefinitely through the production of underground bulblets. This cultivar blooms in late spring, usually in June, for 2 to 3 weeks, on sturdy stems facing the wind. Its solitary or paired flowers on the stems, measuring up to 10 cm (4in) in diameter, are relatively thin compared to those of German Iris, but undeniably elegant. Each flower is composed of 3 upright, slender, translucent petals of small size. Beneath this trio are 3 slightly drooping petals, closely linked to the dentate petaloid styles on the edge, arranged in quincunx. Slightly wider, they are slightly spatulate and marked with a spot of bright yellow. Each flower can live 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 reminiscent of grass leaves, with a slightly glaucous green colour, often slightly striated and folded in two towards the ground. They often appear in autumn, persist to varying degrees depending on the severity of the winter, and dry out in summer, during the dormant period.

Less known and less used by gardeners than German Iris, Dutch Iris are nevertheless easy to cultivate in fertile and light soil, with undeniable elegance, and are also indifferent to wild weeds that struggle to infiltrate their very vertical clumps. Plant them in groups of 10 to 20 bulbs of the same variety; they will come back year after year to offer you even more elegant and cheerful flowers, which go well with the spring flowering of flowering shrubs. They are also stunning 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 create bouquets with roses, arums, lilies or even late tulips. All iris varieties need a sunny exposure to flower well. Give them at least half a day of full sun per day.