Iris reticulata Cantab - Netted iris

The Iris reticulata 'Cantab' is an old variety of reticulated iris introduced in 1904, forming beautiful blue flowering carpets in the garden, which are noticeable from the first sunny days. This plant stands out with its light blue flowers with deeper blue and white sepals, enhanced by a narrow orange beard. Although the plant is small in size, its flowers are large and abundant. It is a wonderful little bulbous plant, hardy and carefree, to be welcomed in rockeries, borders, and containers, where it will flower at the same time as snowdrops. It is to be grown in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade.

The Iris reticulata is a perennial plant with a highly variable appearance, belonging to the family of irises, native to the mountains of the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. This iris is very hardy (up to -34°C (-29.2°F)) and easy to grow in porous and well-drained soil. 'Cantab', from which it originates, develops from a storage organ, which is an elongated bulblet measuring 2 to 3 cm (1in) in height, covered with a white epidermis. It usually flowers in March, or early April depending on the climate, before the foliage appears, making it precious in the garden. The flowers, measuring 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) wide, are borne on stems of approximately 8 cm (3in) in height. They are large in relation to the size of the plant and appear to emerge directly from the ground. They consist of 3 upright inner tepals, light blue, dominating 3 more horizontal outer tepals, darker blue, marked with a white spot, a few nearly black dots, and an orange beard. They are pleasantly fragrant. The foliage develops when the flowers fade, forming a clump of narrow, stiff, and pointed leaves, up to a maximum height of 15 cm (6in). It is at this time that the bulblet divides into several bulblets, allowing the plant to colonize its environment.

The Iris reticulata 'Cantab' can be grown both in pots and in sunny borders or rockeries. Its only requirements are well-drained soil, even sandy or gravelly, and a sunny exposure. It can be associated with other early-flowering small bulbs, such as snowdrops, crocuses, or early-flowering botanical tulips. It also pairs well with hellebores. Plant them in groups of 15 bulbs to quickly create beautiful splashes of colour at the end of winter. It adapts perfectly to mountainous and Mediterranean climates.