Iris Reticulata

I planted a number of these beautiful little Irises last autumn and they have just come into flower during the recent spell of mild weather. Unlike the larger Irises which are grown from rhizomes, these small Irises are grown from bulbs. They have narrow pointed green leaves which grow to about 6 inches high and bear scented flowers 2-3 inches across in various shades of blue and purple with markings of yellow, orange and red.

The flowers are produced in February and March and are suitable for growing in the front of the border, in rockeries or greenhouse pot culture. Bulbs should be planted 3 inches deep and 4 inches apart in September or October. You can increase your stock by lifting and dividing established clumps but this should not be carried out in the first 4 to 5 years after planting.

Plants flowering this week in my garden include Iris reticulata, Hellebores, miniature Daffodils, Primulas, Pulmonaria and Camellia.



Pulmonaria - a favourite spring flower

. Pulmonarias, commonly known as lungwort, are reliably hardy, easy to grow plants for shady areas such as under trees or a shaded border. The most commonly grown variety is Pulmonaria officinalis, also called spotted dog due to its white spotted leaves. This is the one I grow in my garden.

I was given this as a gift a few years ago and it has been a lovely addition to the spring flowering plants in the woodland border. It is a low growing plant with an abundance of pink/mauve flowers appearing in March, or even earlier if the weather is mild. I have a few solitary bees nesting in the dry stone wall at the bottom of the garden and when they first emerge they find these flowers a good source of nectar.
Pulmonarias will cope with some sun but they prefer a shadier spot. They also prefer moist soil so keep them well watered when they are first planted and during any subsequent dry spells. The roots of established plants can be divided and replanted during October or March to increase your stock. This method of propagation produces better results than growing new plants from seed. I divided my plants last year and replanted some in different areas of the garden. I'm hoping these new plants will have rooted well and produce some lovely flowers this year.