Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' (Reticulata)

About this cultivar:

Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' (Reticulata) has been called the 'queen of the dwarf irises' by John Hoyland. We won't disagree. It is a reticulated (marked, viened) iris hybrid whose parents are Iris winogradowii (pale yellow flowers) and Iris histrioides (pale blue flowers). Intricately marked pale blue scented flowers of this hybrid have distinctive deep blue veining with a purple-spotted yellow blotch at the base of each sepal. Narrow, linear, grass like, gray-green leaves typically rise to the same level as the flower at the time of bloom but elongate after before eventually disappearing in late spring as the plant goes dormant. This hybrid was introduced in 1958 by E. B. Anderson and named after the wife of rare bulb enthusiast Eliot Hodgkin.

• Position: Full sun, partial shade
• Soil: Almost any soil, grows well in Ballyrobert
• Flowers: January, February
• Other features: Suitable for Container
• Hardiness: Fully hardy - grows well in Ballyrobert
• Habit: Clump forming
• Foliage: Deciduous
• Height: 0 - 15 cm (0 - 0.15 ft)
• Spread: 0 - 15 cm (0 - 0.15 ft)
• Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years
• Plant type: Herbaceous Perennial
• Colour: Green, blue
• Goes well with: Hosta, Hemerocallis, Geranium

About this genus:

Iris (i-ris) is a genus of 260–300 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colours found among the many species. As well as being the scientific name, Iris is also used as a common name. Long in cultivation there seem to be as many cultivars as plants. Culturally the genus has had quite an impact. The fleur-de-lis, a stylized Iris, first occurs in its modern use as the emblem of the House of Capet (rulers of France 987 to 1328). It is also the universal symbol for Scouting. Many artists have a 'thing' with Iris, not least Van Gogh- who was a fan of Iris (not just sunflowers).... see images opposite!

As a group, Iris species can range from drought-tolerant dry land perennials to bog dwellers and from sun to shade, so there is no set of cultivation rules for the genus as a whole. In general though the cultivars we have in our garden (and sell), are tough, low maintenance plants perfect for wet gardens and similar sites.

Try pairing irises in the garden with Hosta, Hemerocallis, Geranium. They also look great as a cut-flower; the reason you don't get them in florists is that they don't transport well.