Iris 'Knick Knack' (MDB)
iris 'Knick Knack'
A compact perennial, to 15cm tall, with grey-green foliage and small, delicately-coloured spring flowers comprising white standards with dark blue edging and white falls with lighter blue markings
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Blue White | Green Grey Silver | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Iridaceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Accepted
- Horticultural Group
- Miniature Dwarf Bearded irises are deciduous rhizomatous perennials growing to 20cm tall, with broadly linear leaves and flowers 4-8cm across in late spring and early summer
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in well-drained, preferably neutral to alkaline soil in full sun but acid soils are tolerated if well-drained. Sun on the rhizomes will encourage flowering. See also bearded iris cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by dividing iris rhizomes from midsummer to early autumn
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Gravel garden
- Flower borders and beds
- Wall side borders
Pruning
Remove any dying foliage in autumn, old flower stems can be cut down after flowering
Pests
Diseases
May be susceptible to aphid-borne viruses, bacterial soft rot and grey moulds; see Iris diseases
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.