Dwarf Bearded Iris

The dwarf bearded iris is a compact species with narrow, swordlike leaves and early flowers that can range from yellow to blue, lavender, or purple. Its small scale suits the front of a sunny border, rock garden, or other close-view planting, while the species itself should not be confused with every dwarf hybrid that has Iris pumila ancestry. ## Flowers and placement The Chicago Botanic Garden describes Iris pumila as flowering in spring, often from March into early summer depending on local conditions. The Royal Horticultural Society’s ‘Pygmy Blue’ entry illustrates one blue-flowered selection; it is an example, not a description of every wild or garden population. Use color and mature spread as selection-specific details when choosing plants, since the species name alone does not establish a uniform garden size. ## Growing conditions Grow in full sun or light shade and provide soil that drains freely. Bearded iris rhizomes are vulnerable to prolonged wetness and heavy competition. In a mixed border, give the clump room and avoid burying the rhizome under mulch. Plants can be used at the front edge of a bed or grouped as a low groundcover where the site suits them. ## Sources [Chicago Botanic Garden: Iris pumila](https://www.chicagobotanic.org/plant-information/plant-finder/iris-pumila-dwarf-bearded-iris) · [Royal Horticultural Society: Iris pumila ‘Pygmy Blue’](https://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/236723/iris-pumila-pygmy-blue/details) ## Maintenance Remove spent flower stems and keep weeds from crowding the clump. Divide congested plants after flowering or in late summer, replanting healthy rhizome sections near the soil surface. Water newly planted divisions until established, then adjust supplemental watering to rainfall and soil drainage.