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Iris pumila LA Ballet - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris pumila LA Ballet
Dwarf bearded Iris

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Thanks to the individuals (Laetitia for order preparation and Sandie for shipping), the 3 bulbs received appear to be healthy. Planted close to yellow or orange roses, I am now patiently waiting for them to take root... (or not?).

Thierry, 24/02/2023

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More information

A dwarf iris with pink flowers, a rather rare colour for this type of iris. It blooms earlier than tall irises, usually in April. Plant it in a rock garden, along borders, in a pot, or even on a green roof. It is perfect for flowering poor and well-drained soils, even ones that are dry in summer.
Flower size
5 cm
Height at maturity
30 cm
Spread at maturity
25 cm
Exposure
Sun
Hardiness
Hardy down to -18°C
Soil moisture
Dry soil, Moist soil
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Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October
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Flowering time April
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Description

Iris pumila 'LA Ballet' is a dwarf iris that offers charming pink flowers in early spring. Its flowers are beautifully ruffled, like those of tall irises, but smaller in size. Dwarf and border irises, as easy to grow as their larger cousins, are perfect for quickly creating a lovely spring decoration in rockeries, planters, borders, and large banks. 

 

Iris pumila 'LA Ballet' is a small rhizomatous perennial plant in the Iridaceae family. It belongs to a horticultural group called SDB (Standard Dwarf Bearded). In this group, hybrids are found between I. pumila, which is truly dwarf, and the garden tall bearded iris. Of modest size, dwarf irises flower before tall irises, but after true dwarf irises.

From spring, Iris 'LA Ballet' forms small upright clumps. Its foliage is deciduous and is absent in winter.  The plant reaches a height of 30cm (12in) when flowering and the clump spreads without a theoretical limit over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the external ones. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, which are a slightly glaucous green. In March, short flower stalks appear, which will bloom in April, late or early depending on the climate. The flower stalks bear 2 to 3 flowers. Each flower, 7 to 8cm (3in) in diameter, consists of three upright petals of a soft salmon-pink colour, surmounted by 3 almost horizontal sepals of the same pink colour, but washed with blue under the beards. These beards are pinkish-orange with white and bluish tips. Note that 'LA Ballet' flowers are slightly fragrant.

Obtained by Michael Sutton, 2006 

To accompany irises, choose plants based on their needs (exposure, soil), their "respectful" growth with irises (low plants or light foliage), and their complementary style (appearance, flowering date). For example, gauras will provide little shade and will keep the deflowered iris bed attractive throughout summer. Eschscholzia will be content with dry and poor soil, just like the iris. Geraniums, salvias, and libertia also accompany irises very well. A dense planting of old diploid varieties can stabilise banks and patio edges. These irises can remain in place and require little care.

For rockeries, stony and dry meadows, limestone plateaus, rocky embankments, and green roofs: use the full range of irises. Border edges are the domain of border irises, but also of dwarf irises!

Flowering

Flower colour pink
Flowering time April
Inflorescence Cluster
Flower size 5 cm
Fragrance slightly scented

Foliage

Foliage persistence Deciduous
Foliage colour medium green

Plant habit

Height at maturity 30 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Iris

Species

pumila

Cultivar

LA Ballet

Family

Iridaceae

Other common names

Dwarf bearded Iris

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

Product reference177861

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Planting and care

A sunny, warm, and relatively dry location in summer is ideal for planting irises. They struggle to grow and flower when planted in shade. They are hardy and do not require winter protection. Well-drained soil is perfect, even if it is on the dry and chalky side. Excessively wet soil can lead to rhizome rot. Plant them from July to September. This allows the rhizomes enough time to grow before being dug up, and to develop new roots before winter. They should be planted as soon as they are purchased for best results. Plan to divide irises every 4 years to provide them with fresh soil. They have vigorous growth and need space to develop and flower well. Plant them with appropriate spacing based on the size and vigour of the variety: approximately 34 to 50cm (13 to 20in) for tall irises (5 to 10 plants per square metre). In a monochromatic planting, rhizomes should be planted in a staggered pattern. For a mix of colours, plant them in groups of several plants of the same variety. Always consider the direction of rhizome growth, arranging them in a star shape with buds and leaves facing outward, and spacing them well away from other varieties to allow room for growth.

Planting:

Dig a hole that is wide and deep enough. Create a conical mound of soil in the hole, on which the rhizome and spread-out roots are placed. Cover the roots. It is important for the rhizome to be positioned at the surface of the soil. It should not be planted in a depression (risk of rot), so anticipate that the soil will settle and the iris will sink. In clayey or damp soil, the rhizome should even be left elevated on a slight mound of a few centimetres. To secure the soil around the roots, lightly tamp the soil and thoroughly water immediately after planting. Water 2-3 times, if necessary, until the plant establishes.

Maintenance:

Keep the soil free of weeds by lightly hoeing, taking care not to damage the rhizomes or roots. Weeds create shade for the irises, retain moisture (leading to rot), and attract slugs. Also, remove dry leaves. If they are diseased (red-bordered spots of heterosporiosis), burn them. Remove faded flowers.

 

 

18
€14.50 Each
6
€19.50

Planting period

Best planting time August to September
Recommended planting time February to March, July to October

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container, Slope
Hardiness Hardy down to -18°C (USDA zone 7a) Show map
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Planting density 10 per m2
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Neutral, Calcareous
Soil type Chalky (poor, alkaline and well-drained), Silty-loamy (rich and light), Stony (poor and well-drained)
Soil moisture Dry soil, Moist soil, Well-drained soil

Care

Pruning instructions Cut the faded flowers.
Pruning Pruning recommended once a year
Pruning time May
Disease resistance Good
Overwinter Can be left in the ground
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