Iris pumila Volts - Dwarf bearded Iris

Iris pumila 'Volts' is a dwarf iris with beautiful pastel pink flowers, which quickly form lovely tenderly coloured clumps in early spring. Pink is rare in this category of irises, as is vigour, making this variety a great choice for brightening up a rock garden or sunny border. You can also plant it on a large bank, even if it's dry in summer.

Iris pumila 'Volts' 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 'Volts' forms small upright clumps. Its foliage is deciduous and is absent in winter. The plant reaches a height of 35cm (14in) when in bloom and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the centre rhizomes thinning out in favour of the outer ones. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves in a somewhat glaucous green. In March, short flower stalks appear that will bloom in April, early or late depending on the climate. The flower stalks bear between 1 and 3 flowers that open successively. Each flower, measuring 6 to 7cm (2 to 3in) in diameter, consists of three upright petals in a beautiful pale-pink, surmounting 3 slightly trailing sepals of the same pink colour, but with a lavender-blue halo under the beard. The beards are orange mandarin with a lavender tip. Note that the flowers are slightly fragrant.

Created by Barry Blyth, 1993.

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!