Iris unguicularis cretensis
A rhizomatous iris from the southern part of the Mediterranean. Beautiful blue fragrant flowers during winter are protected by the foliage and makes good cut flowers. A frost period may interrupt the flowering, but this soon picks up as temperatures rise again. Allthough the foliage is persistent, this iris requires a dry period in summer. The foliage is cut back in July, when the plant is resting. Planting should either be done in autumn or in spring after flowering, as long as the plant has time to root before ther summer.
I. unguicularis ssp cretensis has short and narrow foliage. which makes the white and blue striped flowers are very visible.
The genus
Iris is a very large genus from the Northern hemisphere with about 300 rhizomatous or bulbous species. There are 6 sub-genus, each of which is again divided in sections. Examples of subgenera: Iris (rhizomes, bearded flowers), Limniris (rhizomes, flowers without beard), Nepalensis, Xiphium (bulb), Scorpiris (Juno), Hermodactyloides (the Reticulatas).
- Family :Iridaceae
- Section :Limniris (Unguiculares)
- Native to :Méditerr. orient. Afr. du Nord
- Native climate :méditéranéen (humid winters)
- Colour :White, Blue
- Hardiness :medium
- Exposure :half-shade, full sun
- Storage organ :rhizome
- Growth :evergreen
- Flowering height :15-40 cm
- Uses :Borders - Cut flowers - Naturalising - In the ground - Rockery
Growing cycle
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planting | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Growth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Flowering | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||