Iris pumila
Common Name(s):
Dwarf Iris
Dwarf Bearded Iris
Synonym:
Iris taurica
Pygmy Iris Big Blue Eyes
Flower:
Blue
Blooms :
May
to:
Jun
Bearded iris flower with 3 drooping sepals and 3 upright petals
Botanical Description
Fragrant?
YES
Family:
Iridaceae
Herbaceous Plant, Perennial
Foliage:
Green
Flat sword shaped leaves 6-8" long
Fall Color?
YES
Leaves remain green into fall
Evergreen
Photo by:
Heading 6
Leaves remain green
Oregon Native?
NO
West State Native?
NO
Origins:
Central and eastern Europe
Site Selection
Minimum USDA Hardiness Zone:
3
Water Needs:
L
Sun Needs:
Full Sun
Deer Resistant?
YES
Firewise?
YES
Height:
4-6"
Spread:
4-8"
Growth Rate:
Medium
Native Habitat:
Meadows, fields, woodland margins
Soil:
Gritty sandy loam, well-drained
Care Recommendations
Maintenance Level:
Low
Fertilizer:
Use low nitrogen 5-10-10 or 6-10-10 to promote blooms over foliage, apply early spring before bloom, and after flowering
Mulch:
Coarse gravel, pea gravel, small non-porous stones
Give 6-8 hours of direct sun, good drainage, avoid over watering, divide clumps every 3-4 years, plant with 1/4th of rhizome exposed, apply low nitrogen fertilizer sparingly in spring and again after flowering, remove spent flower stalks to base in late summer, trim foliage to about 6-8 inches, watch for borers
Long Term:
Winter:
Ensure rhizomes are not sitting in water, apply a light breathable protection such as evergreen boughs or straw to protect and prevent heaving, do not water
Spring:
Remove mulch if applied, remove dead leaves, can be lightly fertilized
Summer:
Cut back spent flower stalks, water when dry
Fall:
Trim leaves down to about 3-6" in a fan shape, remove diseased leaves, ensure tips of rhizomes remain exposed
General Care Comments:
Needs at least 6 hours sun, well-drained soil, water sparingly, plant shallow, fertilize sparingly, deadhead, divide every 3-4 years, prune back foliage to 6" in fall
Common Problems
Poor drainage, deep planting, excessive shade
Diseases:
Bacterial soft rot, leaf spot, mosaic virus, rust, Sclerotinia rot, Botrytis rot
Insects:
Verbena bud moth, Iris borer, aphids, thrips, spider mites, mealybigs, scale, climbing cutworms
Environmental Problems:
Overcroding can lead to decline
Pests:
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