Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ - Potted Blue Dwarf Iris

Add a splash of late winter cheer to your garden with these cute dwarf irises. Fully hardy throughout the UK (below -20°C), these distinctive white and gold flowers are the perfect herald of spring.

With the distinctive shape of an iris in pocket-sized form, these dwarf irises bloom at the end of winter, and are the perfect addition to bring you into the new season. With blue-and-yellow flowers displaying a tongue of golden colour speckled with bold blue, these early-blooming beauties really shine. Suitable for growing in containers as well as in the ground in your garden, window box or balcony. To get the best out of these easygoing flowers, plant the bulbs out in autumn, in a spot which gets some sun, and look forward to the results in spring.

Scientific Name
Iris reticulata (net-like Iris - named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow)

Common Name
Dwarf Iris, Netted Iris, Snow Iris, Golden Netted Iris

Origin
Native to Iran, Iraq, Türkiye and the Caucasus

Pruning Tips
No pruning required, you can let the flowers die back themselves. Deadhead to encourage further blooming.

Wildlife Value
Iris are attractive to bees, and can be an important source of early pollen. Especially good for long-tongued bees like the Common Carder Bumblebee.

Positioning
Plant in full sun, iris can grow in exposed as well as sheltered positions.

Water
Keep the soil slightly moist year-round; you may need to water, but only in spells of dry weather.

Soil
Use a well-draining soil; neutral or slightly alkaline is best.

Food
Feed with a liquid fertiliser or by mulching in autumn when you plant the bulbs, and/or just after flowering. Avoid high-nitrogen feeds which encourage foliage rather than flowers to grow.

Pet-safe
No, irises are toxic to cats, dogs and humans - though not to birds, horses and livestock.

Sprouts Top Tips
For a striking display, plant Iris bulbs in groups of 10-15. Pair with other early bloomers like crocuses or snowdrops for a vibrant spring garden.