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| Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' |
Here is a feature for my new favorite rock iris,
Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin'. She is a beauty, especially close up. But she also stands out so well against the damp spring earth. I planted fifty bulbs that I got from
John Scheepers last autumn in the Shade Path garden. I had tried
Iris reticulata 'Cantab' in this garden the
year before, but I found that their medium blue color did not stand out well in the shade. These I am much happier with their punch... if pastels can punch that is. Perhaps it is more like glowing.
Those who love spring irises know that one reason they stand out as more desirable than crocuses is rock irises open and stay open. This means that even on a gloomy, rainy spring day, they are open to be enjoyed. Crocuses only open when it is sufficiently warm and sunny.
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Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' open even in the shade of early morning on the Shade Path.
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| A view of Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' in the afternoon sun. |
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| Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' are planted on the outside border away from the house for the ease of seeing them through a window on cold or gloomy day in early spring. |
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| I love this color combination: deep purple Hellebores orientalis, light blue of Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' and the medium purple Crocus vernus. |
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Iris histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' with a bit of green ground cover provided by forget-me-not foliage (Myosotis) and Sedum 'Acre', both being early spring risers.
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I am thrilled with this variety, even en mass. I do regret however that there is not more green on the ground under this planting. You can tell in the fourth photo that much of the ground is bare with only mulch. I would consider planting these in one of my areas that have a very low growing cover for spring already, such as in my
curb strip. The bulbs would get their sun and then be done before the
Sedum 'Acre' really got growing... Or planting the forget-me-nots about more thickly would work for a fix. Clumped by evergreen ferns or
Hellebores, they would be a win.
See what else blooms around this time in a Pennsylvania, zone 5 garden by reading about
Gilmore Gardens in March.
That light blue color really does glow in the garden - so tiny yet makes a great landscape impact. I would have selected a darker blue myself too, but I see what you mean about the lighter color working better in the shade. I'll have to try that one - thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI'm in love with this iris!
ReplyDeleteI planted iris reticulata and, like you, I find the tone a little hard on the shade ..
in the fall, I'll try to find the same as you.
To fill in the blanks, I put thoughts, viola.
These are bi-annual, which occupy the land for a long period.
There are many colors.
But I often chose small white: viola cornuta.
your shade path is so pretty! you've sold me on that iris, too...fifty bulbs makes a good statement. i have I. cristata which i love, too, but it's not up this early.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful iris! Lovely en mass! What a wonderful spring view from a window. Love that deep purple hellebore, too.
ReplyDeleteLove these wherever they are...I need to plant more as well...they are just so gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteHad never thought of putting them in the shade, I have just the place for them, must send in a bulk order in the autumn, thanks!! Your first photograph shows just how beautiful they are, fantastic!
ReplyDeleteI should get more of these though mine too didn't have any underplanting as they started to flower in January which was 2 months earlier than the previous year. En mass yours in the shade area really brighten it up.
ReplyDeleteAll Iris are beautiful and this one especially so. Thank you for bringing it to my notice, I'll check whether my bulb supplier sells them. Christina
ReplyDeleteSo glad you like it! I do know that Rosie has them in Scotland, so hopefully they are available in Italy as well.
DeleteJulie
Oh, I'm in love! Thank you for sharing, will have to get this iris for myself. I love buying from John Scheepers as well. All my bulbs are coming up that I planted from them last fall. Will look for this iris, love the hint to yellow. Nancy
ReplyDeleteI love that little iris! So beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI love how ghostly they look floating under trees. And your pictures are beautiful, with the sunlight dancing on the petals. Lovely post.
ReplyDelete