Iris cristata (Dwarf crested iris)

Botanical name

Iris cristata

Other names

Dwarf crested iris, Lady's calamus

Genus

Iris Iris

Species

I. cristata - I. cristata is a vigorous, compact, mat-forming, deciduous perennial with upright, lance-shaped, bright green leaves and, in spring, stemless, white-marked, lilac, pale blue, or lavender flowers with a narrow, orange or yellow crest on each fall.

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright, Mat Forming, Compact

Toxicity

Ingestion may cause severe discomfort.

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Colour

Flower

Lilac in Spring

Foliage

Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer; Bright-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Slugs , Snails

Specific diseases

Virus

General care

Pruning

Remove faded or dead foliage in autumn. Cut down old flower stems after flowering.

Propagation methods

Division

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Iris cristata (Dwarf crested iris) will reach a height of 0.15m and a spread of 0.3m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Wallside and trellises, Rock, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Coastal, City, Beds and borders

Cultivation

Plant in late summer or early autumn in humus-rich, moist or moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. If grown in sun, the soil must main consistently moist. Suitable for well-drained slopes.

Soil type

Loamy, Clay

Soil drainage

Moisture-retentive, Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Aspect

South, East, West

Exposure

Exposed, Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Hardy (H4)

USDA zones

Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Iris cristata (Dwarf crested iris)

Common pest name

Red rice root aphid; Rice root aphid

Scientific pest name

Rhopalosiphum rufiabdominalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Potentially significant glasshouse pest; growers should monitor for its presence. Routine aphid control should be effective in mitigating risk.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Iris cristata (Dwarf crested iris)

Common pest name

common blossom thrips; cotton bud thrips; tomato thrips

Scientific pest name

Frankliniella schultzei

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous glasshouse pest; present in many countries; single finding in UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/