Iris reticulata, Mini Iris

[kiki-do]

I have trouble keeping daffodil bulbs from critters, but never had a problem with irises of any type. If you can just get them "established"....they will flourish. (Their bulbs get hard and tough over time so critters don't like them). Unless some unforseen blight gets them or something. Good luck!
By the way, I am no expert on irises. This is just my experience with them.

[guyslp]

My partner and I have scads of these in our beds and we're located in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, about mid-way between Roanoke and Winchester. The soil is largely clay, and these things thrive year after year with no special care whatsoever. They bloom as one of the earliest flowers (after crocus) for us and just finished for this year

[Tindomul]

Well that makes sense. The plants of the whole Iris family contain crystals of calcium oxalate. These crystals damage the cells of predators. So if a squirrel were to actually eat one, they would have bloody painful mouths for a few days.

[Keltera]

its funny reading these posts about winter dormacy when there the plants ive seen growing in gardens since i was little! up here we just plop them in the garden and forget about them! same with tulips, daffodils, Lillis, ect ect. i guess i always take for granted that i live where i live and that there are still more wonderful plants that grow normally here then orchids!

[Tindomul]

When I bought these on Tuesday they were just a few shoots just barely off the ground. By the next morning, full bloom!!! I love this plant!!

[kiki-do]

Lovely Tin, just lovely!!!!!

[Bird Song Farm]

Beautiful Tin, sure will be good to see them come up here! It's 23 F right now and supposed to be down in the single numbers tonight. Brrrrrrrrrr

Al

[Hedge]

I love these, they are very popular in Britain and I grow them in the garden, in a sandy soil. Yours look lovely, Tindomul! They are easy and have just coped with our worst winter for thirty years - minus temps at night for days on end,lots of snow. There is a related yellow miniature Iris called danfordiae you might want to check out too.

[Hedge]

Originally Posted by Bird Song Farm

Beautiful Tin, sure will be good to see them come up here! It's 23 F right now and supposed to be down in the single numbers tonight. Brrrrrrrrrr

Al

Brrr indeed, Al, hard to believe you are probably further south than me - thank goodnes for the Gulf Stream!!!

[Tindomul]

I'm glad to see these guys are so hardy!!!!
I will definetly be looking for I. danfordiae