Illustration of Iris pallida by Franz Eugen Köhler in Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen (1887). [Public Domain]
Genus: Iris
Common Names: iris
Description coming soon.
Distribution: temperate Northern Hemisphere
Our Selection
Iris × germanica 'Florentina'
Description: perennial; an iris with sweet violet-scented rhizomes that have been used in perfumeries since the 1600s in Florence, Italy. Cultivation has declined since 1920 but it is still grown commercially in Morocco, China, and India and is now mostly used as a fixative in potpourri. Bearded iris rhizomes should be planted exposed halfway above ground to prevent rot. Forms a dense colony of semi-evergreen leaf blades over time and blooms blue-purple flowers on 30 in. stalks in early summer.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 4 ft.
Iris pallida 'Dalmatica'
Description: perennial; an iris with sweet violet-scented rhizomes that have been used in perfumeries since the 1600s in Florence, Italy. Cultivation has declined since 1920 but it is still grown commercially in Tuscany but is now mostly used as a fixative in potpourri. Bearded iris rhizomes should be planted exposed halfway above ground to prevent rot. Forms a dense colony of semi-evergreen leaf blades over time and blooms fragrant, grape-scented lilac flowers on 30 in. stalks in early summer.
Height: to 18 in. Spread: to 4 ft.