Iris reticulata Down to Earth

The Iris reticulata Down to Earth is a variety of reticulated iris with an extraordinary flowering, both in terms of the architecture of its flower and its mysterious colouration. A flower that is not conspicuous from afar, but truly magnificent when observed up close. It sometimes blooms as early as February, offering flowers combining dark brown and dark metallic blue-green, enhanced by a yellow spot, strangely adorned with three long green threads. This little bulbous plant is cultivated in well-drained soil, in full sun or partial shade, in flower beds, rockeries or even in pots. A gem!

According to sources, Iris reticulata is a cross between Iris histrioides major (blue) and Iris winogradowii (pale yellow with spots in the throat), or a cross between Iris histrioides major (blue) and Iris danfordiae (rich yellow with spots in the throat). These plants are all native to the Caucasus, and they naturally grow in alpine meadows and rocky habitats (on limestone and gneiss soil), between 1000 and 2500 meters (3281 and 8202 feet) above sea level.

The hybrid Iris Down to Earth is a creation of Alan Mc Murtrie dating back to 2011. Forming a small, upright and spreading clump of 15 cm (6in) when in bloom, this perennial extends indefinitely through the production of bulblets. This little plant blooms at the end of winter, when the days begin to lengthen, usually in February-March. Its solitary flowers, about 6 cm (2in) in diameter, are relatively large compared to the size of the plant. They consist of 3 brown petals adorned with yellow macules speckled with dark brown, 3 long sepals reduced to thread-like filaments, of glaucous green colour, and 3 petaloid styles blending blue, green, and mauve. Each flower is enclosed at the base by two scale-like bracts. The fruits are swollen capsules containing ovoid seeds. The foliage, short during flowering, elongates afterwards. The basal leaves are glaucous green, quadrangular in section, sheathing at the base. They are deciduous and disappear in summer.

The reticulated iris is a very pretty rock garden and border plant, also interesting for decorating ephemeral flowering pots to bring indoors to fully enjoy its beauty, sometimes its fragrance. It pairs well with dwarf iris, botanical crocuses, botanical tulips, blanda anemones, or even the Algerian iris. Let the bulbs naturalize, they will form lovely clumps after a few years, announcing the return of spring.