Iris x hollandica King Mauve

The Iris (x) hollandica 'King Mauve' is a refined variety of Dutch iris, with flowers displaying a nuanced mauve colour, enhanced by small golden yellow spots. This bulbous iris blooms for 2 to 3 weeks in spring. The stylized flowers of Dutch irises stand out for their elegance in the garden, as well as in bouquets. They are easy to grow in full sun, in fertile and well-drained soil.

The Dutch irises, or bulbous irises, have an underground storage organ in the form of a bulb, not a rhizome like their famous cousins the bearded irises (Iris germanica). Belonging to the same botanical family as the bearded irises, the iridaceae family, they also differ by the absence of "beards," those pretty little fluffy and colourful tongues found on the drooping sepals of bearded irises. The first Dutch irises (x) have never grown wild on Dutch soil, but are the result of cross-breeding between two main botanical species: the Iris filifolia, sometimes confused with the similar-looking Iris xyphium, both native to Spain and North Africa, and the Iris tingitana, native to 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 Iris hollandica 'King Mauve' forms over time an erect and very narrow clump of 60 cm (24in) when in bloom. This perennial spreads without theoretical limit through the production of bulblets. The flowering is more or less early depending on the climate. In average climates, the plant blooms in late spring, usually in May-June, for 2 to 3 weeks, on wind-resistant stems. In Mediterranean regions, the plant can bloom as early as April. Its solitary or paired flowers on the stems, measuring 8 to 10 cm (3 to 4in) in diameter, are relatively slender compared to those of bearded irises, but undeniably elegant. Each flower is composed of 3 upright, slender, translucent petals of small size. Beneath this trio are 3 almost horizontal, mauve petals, closely linked to the petaloid styles with toothed edges, arranged in a staggered pattern. Wider, they are spatulate, veined, and illuminated by a beautiful golden yellow spot. Each flower can last for 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 colour. It produces some linear, thin, leathery leaves, somewhat resembling those of a grass, with a slightly glaucous green colour, often slightly striated and folded in half towards the ground. They often appear in autumn, persist to varying degrees depending on the severity of the winter, and dry up in summer during the dormant period.

Less known and less used by gardeners than bearded irises, Dutch irises are nevertheless easy to grow in fertile and light soil. They are both elegant and indifferent to wild weeds that struggle to infiltrate their very vertical clumps. 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 refined and cheerful flowers that go well with the spring flowering of shrubs. They also look stunning when planted among perennials such as peonies and daylilies, which will conceal their absence in summer, when they are dormant. Their Mediterranean origins give them excellent adaptation to summer drought. Finally, pick their flowers to create bouquets with roses, arums, lilies, or even late tulips. All irises need a sunny exposure to bloom well. Offer them at least half a day of full sun.