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View Full Version : Iris japonica species


abbyjen
08-03-2008, 06:35 AM
A native to Japan, is a dwarf variety and seen as both nearly all white or pale blue color forms. Mine is the blue form. The bloom is approx 5cm/2".

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/jetak/IRIS/dwarf_iris_015.jpg

The foliage is semi-gloss and forms fans without any visible stem. It also comes in a variegated form. I am fortunate to have both.

The plant reproduces by many thin wiry rhizomes that produce new fans a distance from the main plant.

Usually the entire plant (less flower spike) is a 30cm/foot in height.

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/jetak/IRIS/dwarf_iris_014.jpg
Dazed_Lily
08-03-2008, 02:13 PM
Super ! I love it ! Thanks so much for the great photos !
sue salley
08-03-2008, 11:39 PM
Abby,
THose are absolutely beautiful. I love the frilly petals. They sound like they grow like the little crested iris we have that is native in some areas. THere is a blue and white one of that variety also. Are you into spring yet? It is getting close to autumn here now.
abbyjen
08-04-2008, 03:46 AM
Thank you for the nice comments Cathy

I feel the same about it - it is so tender and delicate. :blinking with heart
abbyjen
08-04-2008, 04:11 AM
Sue :smiley-thankx:

These are small crested iris. Maybe it is the Iris japonica that has taken to growing in some of your areas - they definitely are beautiful but not rare. It is very easy to grow with very little water in summer and poor soil as well.

Iris japonica is similar to Iris confusa, but the leaves are at ground level. Iris cofusa from southwestern China is larger than I. japonica in all parts, but is very similar. At bloom it forms a stem
http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/jetak/IRIS/confusa-3.jpg
beneath the fan of foliage that can reach 2 ft from the ground to the base of the foliage. Hence sometimes it is called a bamboo palm. Flowers are similar to Iris japonica in pale blue or near white.

Iris japonica stem

http://i163.photobucket.com/albums/t287/jetak/IRIS/seeds016.jpg

Some of the plants think that we are in Spring and I hope they are right but that is wishful thinking. Traditionally August is our coldest month and it is still very cold once the sun goes down or if the wind is blowing of the snow.
So it is indoors between 10am and 4pm. even if it is a sunny day.