Harmony
When you are planting your spring blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils, don’t forget the little ones. Dwarf irises bloom very early in February and March. They are 5-6 inches tall, but because they bloom early they stand out. Plus they are long lasting and deer and squirrels do not bother them.
J.S. Dijt
Also known as netted iris, dwarf irises (Iris reticulata) are very small bulbs, covered with a fibrous netting. The flower colors range from light to dark blue or light to dark purple and even yellow. Preferring full sun and well-drained soil, they thrive in rock gardens, on steps and terraces, in containers, and can be forced to bloom indoors in pots. The flowers can be cut for small desk top vases, bringing early spring cheer to the office or home.
They are available to plant right now, in the fall, along with the other bulbs, at local garden centers or through bulb companies. Because they are so small though, buy at least a handful. Plant with roots pointing down, spike pointing up, three inches deep and three inches apart. Hardy to zone 5, they die back in the summer and come back in the spring every year. In my garden, ‘J.S. Dijt’ and ‘Harmony’ have thrived for years with no pests or diseases.
