Iris reticulata Harmony

The Iris reticulata Harmony, also known as reticulated iris, is a small botanical species with beautiful flowers of a very vibrant blue, enhanced by a yellow mark at the base of the sepals. It will establish itself permanently in a rockery, border, or pot, where its very bright flowers will open at the first rays of sunshine in February. A carefree plant that braves the winter along with snowdrops and does not fear summer drought. It should be grown in well-drained soil, in full sun.

The Iris reticulata is a perennial plant with a highly variable appearance, belonging to the iridaceae family, native to the mountains of the Caucasus, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq. This iris is very hardy (down to -34°C (-29.2°F)) and easy to grow. 'Harmony', from which it originates, develops from a storage organ, which is an elongated bulb 2 to 3 cm (1in) tall, covered with a white epidermis. It blooms from the end of February, or in March depending on the climate, before the appearance of foliage, making it valuable in the garden. The flowers, 5 to 10 cm (2 to 4in) wide, are carried by stems about 12 cm (5in) tall. They are large compared to the size of the plant and appear to emerge directly from the ground. They consist of 3 upright inner tepals, of a very vibrant blue, dominating 3 more horizontal outer tepals, marked at the base with a golden yellow spot and almost black stripes. They are slightly fragrant. The foliage develops when the flowers fade, forming a clump of narrow, upright, and pointed leaves, up to a maximum height of 20 cm (8in). It is at this point that the bulb divides into several bulblets, allowing the plant to colonize its environment.

The Iris reticulata 'Harmony' can be grown in both pots and sunny borders or rockeries. Its only requirements are well-drained soil and a sunny exposure. It can be combined with other early-flowering small bulbs, such as snowdrops, spring crocuses, or early botanical tulips. It also pairs well with hellebores. They should be planted in groups of 15 bulbs to quickly create beautiful spots of colour at the end of winter. It adapts perfectly to montane and Mediterranean climates.