Iris reticulata North Star

The Iris reticulata 'North Star' is a variety of reticulated iris that is very bright, displaying bright and bicoloured flowers, white veined with pale yellow on a trio of wider petals, canary yellow speckled with black at the throat and highlighted by an orange midline. From the end of winter, almost at the same time as the first crocuses, this small bulblet unfolds its large flowers for such a small plant. Perfectly hardy, it allows, just like pansies, to bring a touch of whimsy to flower beds, as well as to window boxes placed on windowsills.

The Iris reticulata is a perennial plant from the family of irises, 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. 'North Star', from which it originates, is a recent Canadian hybrid with complex parentage. The plant 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 foliage appears, which makes it valuable in the garden. The flowers, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) wide, are borne on 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 are formed of 3 upright inner tepals, dominating 3 more horizontal outer tepals, which are much more colourful. They are slightly fragrant. The foliage develops when the flowers fade, forming a clump of narrow, stiff and pointed leaves, up to 20 cm (8in) tall. It is at this point that the bulb divides into several bulblets, allowing the plant to colonise its environment.

The Iris reticulata 'North Star' can be grown in pots as well as in sunny flower beds or rock gardens. Its only requirements are well-drained soil 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 pansies and hellebores. They should be planted in groups of 15 bulbs to quickly create beautiful splashes of colour at the end of winter. It adapts perfectly to montane and Mediterranean climates.