Somerset County

AG NEWS

Iris cristata   

Plant of the Week... 

...is also known as dwarf crested iris, is a native herbaceous perennial that grows only 6-8 inches tall and spreads 6 to 12 inches wide. The plants thrive with morning sun and light afternoon shade and organically rich, moist well drained soils. Like many irises, the dwarf crested iris spreads by branching rhizomes, and can create a lovely dense groundcover.  They typically bloom in April with 3 small pale lavender-blue ‘standards’ which are the petals, and 3 larger ‘falls’ that are the sepals, that are also pale lavender-blue but with a white center blotch and bright yellow crested ridges.  The 3-inch showy flowers are born on very short stems. The lance shaped bright green leaves can grow up to 6 inches long and have a pale green underside.  When they are in bloom the flowers attract hummingbirds and bumblebees. These lovely spring beauties ae cold tolerant in USDA zones 3-9, provide a groundcover in shady areas and are very deer resistant. Slugs and snails can be problematic as the plants thrive in the same areas that they do. There are a few cultivars including ‘Alba’ which has pure white flowers with the golden crested ridge, ‘Caerulea’ whit deep dark blue flowers, ‘Eco White Angel’ that is a bit larger than the native, and ‘Shenandoah Sky’ that is a pale blue in color.

Ginny Rosenkranz

Extension Advisory Committee