Iris graminea

Iris graminea is a botanical species with a delicate temperament, which often thrives and blooms in semi-shade, and has grass-like leaves in dense and erect tufts. It blooms in a perfumed cloud in spring. Its blue-magenta medium-sized flowers have a curious star shape with three branches ranging, adorned with small white streaks on the sepals. Although its flowers are dominated by foliage, this charming perennial plant is useful for dressing the base of bushes and large trees.

Iris graminea is a herbaceous iris with a slender and short rhizome belonging to the iris family, classified in the spuria group, whose flowers do not bear beards. This very hardy perennial plant is native to central and eastern Europe, ranging from Spain to Russia where it grows in mountain meadows and grassy hillside.

The plant forms a dense, spreading, herbaceous tuft, resembling a tall bush, 20 to 50 cm (8 to 20in) high and 30 cm (12in) wide. Its erect, linear, vibrant green leaves are 30 cm (12in) to 90 cm (35in) long and 1 to 1.5 cm (0 to 1in) wide. The precious, medium-sized flowers (6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) wide) have a strangely fruity fragrance and are composed of 6 very narrow floral pieces beautifully coloured in royal blue and purple with some touches of yellow and white. They are gathered in groups of 10 on a floral stem much shorter than the foliage. It is one of the few irises, along with the Iris fetid, to appreciate semi-shaded situations where it blooms longer than in full sun, especially if it does not lack moisture at the end of spring. This species naturalizes easily, through vegetative multiplication and self-seeding, in light soils. It does not like to be disturbed and sometimes takes a little time to establish itself.

Iris graminea can be used to decorate, or cover, the often bare and root-filled ground at the base of hedges and on the edge of groves, under deciduous bushes. It can be planted with violets and Epimedium that appreciate the same growing conditions, but it will suffocate other plants where it thrives. It can also be planted in a shaded rock garden, where it will happily spread, popping up here and there through the stones. Growing it in pots is a good solution to keep it compact. Once the pot is filled, this very pretty plant can be divided to share with gardening friends.