Description

Iris cristata, Dwarf Crested Iris, Native Bare Root Perennial

Attractive Flowers:
Average-Dry soil:
Average well-drained soil:
Average Wildlife Value:
Beneficial Insects:
Butterflies:
Clay Soil – High clay content, fine texture:
Deer Resistant:
Drought Tolerant:
Drought tolerant:
Erosion Control:
Full-Part Sun (6+ hours of sun):
Groundcover:
Loamy Soil – mostly silt, sand, some clay:
Native to Coastal Regions:
Native To Mountain Regions:
Native to Piedmont Regions:
Organic soil – high level of decayed leaves, bark:
Part Sun-Part Shade :
Perennial:
Pollinator support:
UPL – Almost never occur in wetlands:
Woodland flower:

Native Range: Northeastern United States
Zone: 3 to 9
Height: 0.50 to 0.75 feet
Spread: 0.50 to 1.00 feet
Bloom Time: April
Bloom Description: Pale blue with gold-crested falls
Sun: Full sun to part shade
Water: Medium
Maintenance: Medium
Suggested Use:

• Ground Cover
• Naturalize

Flower: Showy
Tolerate:

• Deer
• Drought

Iris cristata, commonly called dwarf crested iris, is a low-growing, rapidly spreading plant that typically grows to 3-6” tall. It features pale blue, lilac or lavender iris flowers with gold crests on the falls. Flowers are borne on very short stems, often appearing nearly stemless. Narrow, sword-shaped, yellowish-green to medium green leaves (to 6” long) arise from a network of branching rhizomes. Spreads quickly and forms dense colonies in optimum growing conditions. Native from Maryland to Oklahoma south to Georgia and Mississippi. An excellent plant for early spring bloom in a shaded area of the rock garden, perennial border or woodland garden. Foliage forms a nice ground cover for woodland areas. May also be used as a seasonal ground cover or edger.