Iris reticulata 'Katharine Hodgkin'

Iris reticulata 'Katharine Hodgkin' are one of Pam's Faves this season...here's why:

Some years ago I gifted 'Katherine Hodgkin' bulbs to my Mom. I'll never forget the day she called me the following spring to say how simply spectacular the flowers were. We both agree the colours are nothing less than amazing and, despite their short stature, the flowers are simply huge! 

Pamela Dangelmaier

These flowers can vary slightly in colour each year, from shades of blue to grey, with yellow crests. Short sturdy stems produce very long lasting blooms that multiply easily.

Similar to the dwarf irises, 'Katharine Hodgkin' is a hybrid of two other closely related iris species: the wild blue I. histroides and the rare primrose-yellow I. winogradowii. She boasts pale, powder blue standards and a yellow blotch veined with dark blue. 'Katharine Hodgkin' prefers moist, well-drained soil in the spring and relatively dry conditions during summer dormancy. This makes her a perfect choice for rock gardens or containers. But best of all she's a very hardy, early bloomer that can withstand a lot of nature's fury like freezing rains, snowfall and heavy downpours!