Wild dwarf irises

May 7, 2008

wild dwarf irises
Dwarf irises in bloom

The dwarf irises are blooming here now. These little plants are native to our area and bloom in large patches throughout the woods here. This small clump is in my Secret Garden. I dug it out of a much larger patch in the nearby woods. The plants are about 4-6 inches tall maximum, with foliage the same as tall irises only softer and more grass-like. Each little plant produces several iris blooms in deep lavender with dark purple and bright yellow markings on each petal. The flowers get progressively darker lavender in color as they mature. These fragrant little plants are very striking when in full bloom in large patches underneath the trees, and I think they are one of the prettiest wildflowers in our area.

dwarf iris blooms   closeup of dwarf iris flower   small clump of dwarf iris

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