Introducing...
Bulb irises
Growing irises from bulbs is easy and provides some of the earliest blooms in the garden; later flowering varieties compliment summer flowering plants. Whether in containers or in the open garden, they are hardy and provide colour year after year.
Looks
Early flowerers are diminutive plants with yellow, blue or white flowers. Summer varieties can have flowers in all colours. Unlike other irises, the bulbs have narrow, grassy leaves.
Likes
These irises grow in any soil that drains freely, in full sun at flowering time. Early types do well under deciduous trees and among shrubs that provide shelter in summer.
Dislikes
Like nearly all bulbs, these irises will not grow well in permanently wet or very heavy soil or in a permanently shaded situation.
Did you know?
Bulb irises can be treated as flowering houseplants. Grow them in containers outdoors or in a well-ventilated unheated greenhouse, then bring them inside when the buds start to open.
Growing guide
How to grow bulb irises
All the information you'll need to grow & care for bulb irises in your garden.
Bulb irises we recommend
Iris 'Gypsy Beauty' (Dut)
Dutch iris 'Gypsy Beauty'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' (Reticulata)
iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
- Up to 10cm
- 0–0.1 metre
Iris 'Gypsy Beauty' (Dut)
Dutch iris 'Gypsy Beauty'
- 0.5–1 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' (Reticulata)
iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'
- Up to 10cm
- 0–0.1 metre
Useful advice
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.