Mt Cuba Center
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Iris cristata

Native Plants

Dwarf Crested Iris

2 Photos


Summary

The colorful blooms and easy culture of dwarf crested iris make it a valuable addition to the shady native woodland garden. In mid-spring, this attractive perennial groundcover is a mass of pale to deep violet blooms that reach 4-6” in height. Its 5-6” sword-like leaves arise from small rhizomes, that quickly spread, to form impressive colonies with a unique textural quality. Iris cristata does well in average, well-drained woodland soils in shade to partial shade and, once established, is dependably drought-tolerant. It complements other woodland plants such as Phlox divaricata, Uvularia sessilifolia, Geranium maculatum, Hydrastis canadensis, and Trillium luteum.


More Details

  • Plant Type
    perennial 
  • Sun/Shade Conditions
    partial-shade, shade 
  • Foliage Character
    deciduous 
  • Soil Moisture
    average, moist 
  • Flowering Period
    mid-spring
  • Soil PH
    adaptable 
  • Flower Color
    blue, purple 
  • Summer Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fall Foliage Color
    green 
  • Fruit/Seed Color
    green, tan