Dwarf Crested Iris (Iris cristata)

Iris cristata, dwarf crested iris, reaches just 3-6″ high.  Its native habitat is wooded ravines or bluffs in portions of the eastern and southern United States.  Pale blue, lilac or lavender flowers with three parallel, golden, crested ridges on the falls (sepals).  Spreads quickly via rhizomes and forms dense colonies in optimum growing conditions, but is not difficult to keep in control.  When in flower, a well-developed bed can produce a spectacular drift of blue color.

Correction:  This species is not considered to be native to Massachusetts as stated in the printed catalog.  It is native to the eastern US as far north as New York, and has become naturalized in some northeastern parts of Massachusetts, after being introduced as a garden plant.

3 dormant, bare root plants for $15

_{photo from Jem’s garden}