Iris reticulata Sea Breeze - Netted iris

The Iris reticulata 'Sea Breeze' is a variety of reticulated iris recently obtained in Canada, whose flowering can be compared to a sea breeze, as the design that adorns its decidedly stylized petals is precise and light and their colour dynamic. Its flowers are composed of 3 bicoloured petaloid styles, indigo and white, dominating 3 lighter blue sepals with a central yellow macule, speckled with black-blue. The very early flowering of this iris, from the end of winter, announces the return of spring. This carefree little bulbous plant can be planted in borders, rockeries or even in pots.

The Iris reticulata Sea Breeze is a spontaneous hybrid between two wild species originating from the Caucasus. According to sources, the Iris reticulata is derived from the cross-breeding of Iris histroides major (blue) and Iris winnogradowii (pale yellow with speckling in the throat), or the marriage of Iris histroides major (blue) and Iris danfordiae (rich yellow with speckling in the throat).

These plants naturally grow in alpine meadows and rocky habitats (on limestone soil rich in gneiss), between 1000 and 2500m (3281 and 8202ft) above sea level. Forming a small upright and spreading clump of 15 cm (6in) in flower, this perennial spreads without theoretical limit through the production of bulblets. Like it, the 'Sea Breeze' cultivar blooms at the end of winter, when the days begin to lengthen, usually in February-March. Its solitary flowers, 6 to 7 cm (2 to 3in) long, are relatively large compared to the size of the plant, and slightly fragrant. They are composed of 3 female floral parts, called styles, transformed into narrow and spatulate petals, erect. Their indigo blue colour is marked by a white median line that widens towards the tip of the style, completely white. Underneath this trio of petaloid styles, 3 horizontal sepals are arranged in quincunx. Wider, they are convex, lighter blue with a central yellow macule. These sepals are also strongly veined and punctate with black-blue. Each flower is enclosed at the base in two scale-like bracts, purplish green. The fruits are swollen capsules containing ovoid seeds. The foliage, short during flowering, elongates afterwards. The basal leaves are glaucous green, quadrangular in section, sheathing at the base. They are deciduous and disappear in summer.

The reticulated iris is perfect in rockeries, borders, flower beds or even to decorate ephemeral flowering pots, to bring indoors to enjoy its fragrance up close. It pairs well with iris pumila, botanical crocuses, anemones blanda or Algerian iris. Let the bulbs naturalize, they will form beautiful clumps after a few years that will herald the return of spring. This plant experiences cold and snowy winters in its original range, but also hot and dry summers. It is therefore easily adapted to mountainous and rocky gardens, or dry gardens.