Iris hollandica Eye of the Tiger - Dutch Iris

The Iris (x) hollandica 'Eye of the Tiger' is a new cultivar of Dutch Iris with exceptional colouration. The tiger, a powerful beast with a copper-golden gaze, lends its name to this quite fascinating variety which combines on its large flower tones of dark blue-violet for the upright petals, contrasting with more purple sepals where shades of mahogany and a beautiful golden eye are invited. Or perhaps it is the jasper stone of copper and amber, warm above all, called "tiger's eye", reputedly endowed with protective and beneficial powers? Pair this bulbous iris with the 'Royal Yellow' variety in the garden or in bouquets, they create an unforgettable tableau in late spring!

Dutch Iris, or bulbous iris, have an underground reserve organ in the form of a bulb, not a rhizome like their famous cousins the German Iris, or Garden Iris. Belonging to the same botanical family as the latter, the iridaceae family, they also differ from them by the absence of "beards", those pretty little fluffy and coloured tongues found on the drooping sepals of German Iris. The iris (x) hollandica never grew wild on Dutch soil, but are the result of cross-breeding between two main botanical species: Iris filifolia, sometimes confused with Iris xyphium which resembles it, both originating from Spain and North Africa, and Iris tingitana, from Tangier and northern Morocco. The genealogy of Dutch hybrids is sometimes confusing, but the result is always remarkable. Their flowers, somewhat underutilized in the garden, are highly appreciated in floristry. 

The cultivar Eye of the Tiger forms over time, an erect and very narrow clump of 50-55 cm (20-22in) in flower, this perennial spreads without theoretical limit by the production of bulblets. This cultivar blooms in late spring, usually in May-June, for 2 to 3 weeks, on sturdy stems facing the wind. Its solitary or paired flowers on the stems, 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, are relatively slender compared to those of German Iris, and undeniably elegant. They consist of 3 upright, slender, translucent petals, of good size in this variety, of a deep blue-violet. Below this trio are 3 slightly drooping petals, closely linked to the dentate petaloid styles on the edge, arranged in quincunx. Wider, they are spatulate, a purple veined with mahogany, illuminated by a beautiful golden spot surrounded by a brown-red to mahogany zone. Each flower can last 5 to 7 days, even in a vase. The bulb is round, 2 to 3 cm (1in) wide, covered with a fibrous tunic of a rosy beige. It produces some linear, thin and leathery leaves, somewhat resembling those of a grass, somewhat glaucous green, often slightly striated and folded in half towards the ground. They often appear in autumn, persist to a greater or lesser extent depending on the severity of the winter, and dry up in summer, during the dormant period.

Less known and less used by gardeners than German Iris, Dutch Iris are nevertheless easy to grow in fertile soil and of undeniable elegance. Plant them in groups of 10 to 20 bulbs of the same variety; they will return year after year to offer you more and more elegant and joyful flowers, which go well with the spring blooms of flowering shrubs. They are also superb when planted among perennials such as peonies and daylilies, which will hide their absence in summer. Their Mediterranean origins give them excellent adaptation to summer drought. Finally, pick their flowers to make bouquets with roses, arums or even late tulips. All irises need a sunny exposure to bloom well. Offer them at least half a day of full sun per day.