BULBOUS IRIS
The most common bulbous iris in Australia is the Dutch iris (Subgenus Xiphium). The other groups are Reticulatas, (Subgenus Hermodactyloides) and the lesser known Junos (Subgenus Scorpiris).
BULBOUS IRIS
The Dutch iris is very common in Australian gardens. There are other similar iris not so well known in Australia.
In fact the Dutch iris is a hybrid (Iris tingitana × Iris xiphium).
Spanish iris (I. xiphium), is native to Spain and Portugal. The flowers are violet with yellow or yellow-spotted falls, growing in damp sandy places.
Iris latifolia, the English iris, is also known as I. xiphiodes and I. anglica. These are hardy bulbous iris native to France and Spain. It is widely cultivated in temperate regions for its blue flowers which appear in early Summer.
DUTCH IRIS
(Iris hollandica)
Dutch Iris were developed from species native to Portugal, Spain and North Africa and are easy to grow. They like neutral to alkaline soil, cool winters and hot, dry summers. They can be lifted or they can be left in the ground. They flower from August to October.
IRIS RETICULATA
Iris reticulata, the netted iris or golden netted iris, is a species of flowering plant in the family Iridaceae. It is native from eastern Turkey to Iran, but cultivated widely in temperate regions. The reticulata group of irises is characterised by a fibrous net surrounding the bulb. Iris reticulata are a very low maintenance bulb that are perfect to add colour to your garden at the end of winter. It is ideal for planting as garden borders or in rockeries.
