Flowers for the garden
Dwarf iris
Iris pumila L.
Family Cruciferae. Dry turf-grass and feather-grass–wormwood steppes, rocky, often calcareous slopes, sands and solonchaks (var. aequiloba Ledeb.) of the warm-temperate and northern subtropical zones from Central Europe to the southern spurs of the Ural range (in the eastern part of the range it is found along the Tobol River to the vicinity of Kostanay).
Perennial plant up to 15 cm tall. All leaves basal, broad-linear, glaucous. Flowering stem up to 3 cm with a single flower of yellow, lilac, white (with a spot), or wine-red coloration. Flowers earlier than other species, in early May, fruits annually. Tolerates dry sites well. One of the progenitors of the group of dwarf irises. In cultivation since 1588.
Examples of cultivars (antique, at present practically unavailable):
'Lutea' ('Lutea') - plant up to 25 cm tall with a small fragrant lemon-yellow flower. Flowers in late May.
'Schneekuppe' ('Schneekuppe') - plant up to 20 cm tall with a small fragrant white flower. Flowers in early June.
'Cyanea' ('Cyanea') - plant up to 20 cm tall. Flower small, fragrant; outer perianth segments dark-violet, velvety, with a dark edge; inner ones dark violet with a reddish tint. Flowers in late May.
An especially strong decorative effect is produced by flowering mats of I. pumila — a quality that places this species among desirable early-spring perennials. In southern Ukraine and in the North Caucasus I. pumila is often found in home garden flower beds. Seedlings begin to flower in the second year. The most reliable specimens for them are those from the botanical gardens of England, Holland, and the Czech Republic, i.e., from regions where plants of this species have already adapted to a fairly moist climate. It hybridizes easily not only with I. attica, I. pseudopumila, I. scariosa, I. chamaeiris, but also with species of the medium-sized group and even with tall bearded species, especially when I. pumila is used as the pollen parent. One of the main progenitors of a large number of cultivars of the group of dwarf bearded irises.