Iris pumila

RHS Plant Profile

dwarf bearded iris

RHS

Other common names

Crimean iris, dwarf English iris, dwarf iris

Synonyms

Iris attica subsp. pumila
Iris pumila var. equiloba

Herbaceous Perennial

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A compact, rhizomatous, bearded iris to 15cm tall with slightly glaucous, widely sword-shaped leaves 3-15cm long. In mid-spring, a 1cm long flower stem bears 1-2, long-tubed flowers, each 2.5-5cm wide. Flowers are variable in colour from violet-purple, blue to yellow or white with most having a darker spot pattern on the falls and yellow or blue beards

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.5-1 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun

Aspect: South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Iridaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Bushy
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets: Harmful if eaten. For further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus: Iris may be rhizomatous or bulbous perennials, with narrow leaves and erect stems bearing flowers with 3 large spreading or pendent fall petals, alternating with 3 erect, often smaller, standard petals, in late winter, spring or early summer
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: C Europe to Caucasus

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in a very well-drained, slightly alkaline soil

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division of rhizomes after flowering, from midsummer to late summer; for more advice, see dividing irises

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Patio and container plants
City and courtyard gardens
Rock garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut down old flower stems after flowering, and remove any dying foliage in autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails and thrips

Diseases

May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases