Gardeners Tips

For that ‘light bulb moment’ consider the two main species of Iris that will grow from bulbs. Bulbs are generally cheap and easy to grow. The bulbs are often packed in 10’s or 50’s so you can grow a group of Iris together or grow extra for cutting.
The main sorts are Iris reticulata and Dutch Iris but there are also some other bulb species to look out for.

Iris reticulata

• The Iris bulbs growing in the photo above are a series of low growing, early spring flowering plants named after people like George, Natasha, Joyce, Gordon and Pauline.
• Iris reticulata are early flowering Iris that usually appearing from late winter to early spring. The blooms vary from pale blue to deep violet with central yellow splashes down the middle of each petal.
• These Iris are useful for growing from bulbs in pots or in rockeries.
• Plants are low growing at around 6 inches tall.

Dutch Iris

• Dutch Iris flower a bit later, than reticulata bulbs, in early June.
• Dutch Iris are winter hardy and can also be grown in a cool greenhouse for cutting
• The flowers are on strong stems 20-32 inches tall.
• Oriental beauty is one of my favourite varieties shown below
• Cream Beauty, Royal Yellow and White Excelsior are varieties that avoid the natural Iris colours of purple and blue.
• Plant Dutch Iris bulbs every 3-6 inches or dig a wider hole and put 3 bulbs in together. Cover with 3″ of soil.

Tips for Growing Iris from Bulbs

• The preferred method is to plant the bulbs in October 5-10cm (2-4in) apart at twice their own depth in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in sun or partial shade.
• Most types of soil will suffice for one year for these bulbs. The flowers are already inside the bulb waiting to escape so they are almost foolproof in the first year.
• Divide congested groups July to September after the narrow leaves have died down.
• Try growing some bulbs indoors for early flowering by forcing. This is what florists do with Dutch Iris varieties.
• Iris will grow well in pots or containers but if you want them to flower successfully next year they need a deep 8 inche root run to build up strength .
• The dark blue goes well with snowdrops and they flower at about the same time.
• Iris look good in rockeries and the top of walls.

Growing Other Iris Variety from Bulbs

• Mixed bulb packs can give you a good show but look for Iris reticulata J S Dyt reddish purple or Natasha white with green veins and a yellow blotch.
• Iris danflordiae flowers bright yellow 4″ tall.
• Iris Histroides ‘George’ flowers are a plum purple and Katherine Hodgkin light blue with yellow crests and dark spots both 6″ tall.
• Iris bucharia grow about a foot tall in yellow and white.
• Iris lactifolia are ofter called the English Iris naturalise quite well

Useful Links
British Iris Society over 100 years old and going strong

Dutch Iris or Iris reticulata are small bulbs for pots or rockeries.
Flag Iris are big and blousy and grow from Rhizomes.
These pictures of different Iris are grown from bulbs.

The reticulata group produce narrow, triangular leaves and a single, slender bloom per bulb.
Flowers are principally in shades of blue and purple, often with an attractively contrasting orange or yellow mark at the top of the fall.
Iris histrioides ‘George’ is proving to be a good Iris shown top.

Iris Franz Hals above or you could try the unusual Iris ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ below. Its exotic colouring of cream overlaid with a blend of light yellow and greeny-blue comes from its parents.

One of the earliest flowering bulbs is this Iris Reticulata. It makes a lovely rockery bulb. It is low growing, though the flowers are as beautiful as anything you might see in summer. The foliage is also delicate and attractive.

The flower can vary in colour from this deep purple to yellow like below.

Tips for Growing Iris Reticulata

Plant in autumn at a depth of *2 or *2.5 the bulb height. They aren’t too fussy, though a good drained soil helps. To make the most of the flowers, try planting with a layer of light coloured gravel. This helps prevent soil splashing the flowers and also shows off the dark coloured flowers better.

These photos were taken at St John’s College Oxford on 17th February. They are in a rockery above ground level, which helps you to appreciate their beauty.

We are covered in snow and the small local roads are blocked. At least the snow is providing a blanket for the early spring bulbs to continue developing. One of my favouirite blooms is that of the Iris in this case grown from a bulb. Later on the rhizomas varieties will also add colour to the garden but in the meantime I eagerly anticipate the arrival of my Iris.

The outer petals are called the falls and on some varieties the ‘beard’ shows here with small hairs. The upright part are the ‘Standard’ which are most striking on Flag Iris.

One of the earliest flowering bulbs is this Iris Reticulata. It makes a lovely rockery bulb. It is low growing, though the flowers are as beautiful as anything you might see in summer. The foliage is also delicate and attractive.

The flower can vary in colour from this deep purple to yellow like below.

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True blue flowers are hard to find in many gardens although Purple, Lavender, Lilac, Mauve and Violet exist in many shades. Since there are no true blue Roses, Peonies, Dahlias, Daffodils or even Tulips these showy flowers are out. So if you find a good strong blue then stick to it and use it with great abandon.

This Delphinium was in our garden 20 years ago when we arrived and it has given great service. Unlike my spade that has had 2 new blades and 6 new handles the Delphinium is the original stock. Give or take an occassional cutting it is as new each summer with its tall spires of the strongest, clearest blue you could desire.

Good blue plants include Ceanothus impressus, Corydalis flexuosa and the Gentians. In bulbs there are blue Muscari, Chionodoxa  and the Agapanthus. Hydrangea macrophylla Blue Wave is one of the bluer hydrangea but most plants labeled or called blue are pale imitations.

If your favouirite plant is missing from this list let me know.

Light blue variety of Ceanouthus. There are some good dark blue varieties.

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Gentiana The dark blue to indigo flowering Gentian.

Helianthemum are related to Cistus and Halimium as part of the Cistaceae family.

At only four inches tall they are ideal for growing in rockeries or on the top of walls. They provide masses of colourful blossom through summer.

Originating from the Mediterranean they love sun and thrive in poor soil.

Plants flower profusely in strong colours of red, pink, yellow and orange.

They generally have an appealing golden center.

I grow from seed but the plants are perennial and you could propagate a good variety from cuttings.

The orange variety tend to have a lusher foliage but the number of flowers can still cover an 18 inch wide plant.

Many of my plants have lasted more than 10 years except the white variety.

They are easy to grow from seed that can be collected in June/July.

I have a phobia or total lack of ability when it comes to growing Gentians. Because I expect to fail I have done so many many times and now I avoid Gentians like I wanted to avoid Gentain Violet bactericide as a child. (The purple dye you mum stained on cuts)

Gentian Facts

• The Gentians are evocative of the mountains (and that should tell me something about there cultivation).
• The majority of species flower in the deep, intense shade of blue for which Gentains are renown. ( New Zealand Gentians are white and there is a yellow Peruvian variety).
• Larger Gentians have 5 petals in a trumpet shape whilst smaller varieties have 5 petals that open like a star.
• In general European varieties flower in spring whilst the ‘easier’ Asian varieties flower in Autumn.
• This is a large genus with over 400 species and varieties.

Growing Tips

• • Gentians are fiercely lime hating and require moist but fast draining soil.
  • Gentians are thought to be difficult to grow outside their wild habitat.
  • Good clumps of root should be planted out between October and February.
  • Once established the less the plants are meddled with the better
  • Top species to grow in England include Gentain Acaulis, Gentian verna, the spring Gentian and Gentian septemfida the  Crested Gentian.
  • Gentiana sino-ornata is not only one of the easiest and most reliable, but also one of the loveliest with spectacular colour

The flower that is most evocative of mountain scenery must be the the Gentian with its alpine associations. Gentians make me blue in the face because I fail every time I try to grow these sumptuous blue flowers.

Here are some of the reasons I have failed: –

• • • Gentians are known to be difficult to transplant .
    • When seed is sown, it should be fresh or it will not germinate & grow.
    • All Gentians prefer partial shade for at least some of the day.
    • The Fringed Gentiana is a biennial variety which is extremely difficult to grow. I have been guilty of lumping all Gentians under one species as though it was a perennial, acid hating alpine. How wrong I was each variety needs to be understood in its own right.

• • • I have failed to provide adequate drainage, most Gentians need gritty alpine conditions
    • The Closed Gentiana may be grown in moist meadows but have no lime in the soil.
    • Winter sow in coldframe or unheated greenhouse with ventilation
    • The Gentianella is an easy sort to grow requiring limestone added to the soil.

I resolve to try again in my Rockery. Perhaps with American, Australian and Japanese hybrids.