Iris pumila Bright White - Dwarf bearded Iris

'Iris 'Bright White' is a superb variety of dwarf iris, forming beautiful small flowering clumps in April. Its bearded and ruffled flowers are of a pure blue, enlivened by a yellow-tipped white beard. A perfect variety to bring some light to borders, slopes, and rockeries.

The Iris pumila 'Bright White' is a rhizomatous and deciduous perennial plant, with an upright clumping habit that appears in spring. It belongs to the family Iridaceae. It is one of the many modest-sized cultivars that appeared in the 1950s.  'Bright White' will reach a height of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10in) when in bloom, with numerous buds, and the clump will spread indefinitely over time, with the central rhizomes becoming bare in favour of the outer rhizomes. It has a dense clumping habit. The foliage consists of long sword-shaped leaves, glaucous green and heavily veined. In March, floral stems appear, which will produce flowers in April, during the iris season, blooming from the top to the lower branches. The colours of this plant is, as always with garden irises, enhanced by the silky texture of the petals and sepals.

To accompany irises, choose plants to associate with them based on their needs (exposure, soil...) and that have vegetation that will not cast shade on the irises (low plants or plants with light foliage). For example, Gaura will cast little shade on the irises and will keep the iris bed attractive throughout the summer. California poppies will tolerate dry soil like irises. Perennial geraniums, herbaceous salvias, and Libertia also go well with irises. Slopes can be stabilized by dense plantings of old, sturdy varieties that require very little care. Medium height irises are less likely than tall irises to be knocked down by wind and rain. Plant iris clumps in small groups or individually among other plants and bushes that will take over after their spring flowering.

Path border: the entire range can be used, from early dwarfs under 40 cm (16in) to tall irises over 75 cm (30in) that bloom in May, including intermediates (in size and earliness) and border irises, which are medium-sized but bloom with the tall ones. Tall irises, exposed to strong winds, may need staking to prevent them from being knocked over.

Border of flower bed: the home of border irises... but also dwarfs, depending on the circumstances.

Mixed border: the entire range of sizes can be used, chosen according to the position (front, back) and the size of the surrounding plants.