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Hardiness: USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
Sun Exposure: Light Shade
Danger: Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested Handling plant may cause skin irritation or allergic reaction
Bloom Color: Violet/Lavender White/Near White
Bloom Time: Late Midseason (MLa)
Foliage: Herbaceous Smooth-Textured
Other details: Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: By dividing rhizomes, tubers, corms or bulbs (including offsets)
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
On May 22, 2012, ms_greenjeans from Hopkins, MN (Zone 4a) wrote:
Adorable, and tough. I planted some of these last fall under a huge double-trunked cedar, where many other plants have failed. It thrived, multiplied, and bloomed this spring.
On Apr 2, 2011, Erutuon from Minneapolis, MN wrote:
I put this plant in a somewhat dry place next to a tree, and expected it to die because its rhizomes look so small and scrawny, and squirrels dug at it (even cutting off one of the rhizomes), but it survived and grew many new growing tips the next year, forming much wider clump of cute little leaves. This year it's due to bloom, and probably I'll buy more to place around the yard, since it's such a hardy and compact plant.
On May 8, 2010, DMgardener from (Daniel) Mount Orab, OH (Zone 6b) wrote:
Very small is all I can say, + the fact that the blooms are just tiny! Leaves are lighter green than other Irises, but bloom earlier than most. Flowers are a beautiful lavender blue, with yellow, black, and white markings. An excellent plant! Combines wonderfully with Aquilegia!
On Mar 22, 2010, 2texaslady from Humble, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
Iris cristata is a very beautiful little plant. As of yesterday (march 21) one stalk had 7 blossom on it.
This is a great little plant as it's bloom time for us here in Southeast Texas is the same as the old iris Albicans (white cemetery iris) the heirloom iris Kochii ( beautiful dark purple) and the Dyke's Medal winner Dauntless. They have all been blooming for about a week or two. This is one to add to your iris collection for sure!!
On May 14, 2008, stormyla from Norristown, PA (Zone 6b) wrote:
This plant grows very well in shade and semi shade. The clumps keep enlarging and it is very floriferous for several weeks in spring. I planted this 3 years ago one, under a Maple and another in the front of a shady border. Both clumps need to be divided this fall and I'm looking forward to trying it in other areas of the garden.
For the frugal and adventurous, following is some research regarding the germination of Iris cristata seed:
1) from rock garden site
a) "Requires soaking. Place in warm water until seeds swell, usually 24-48 hours."
b) "Sow at 4*C [24-39*F] for 3 months, then place at 20*C [68*F] for 3 months."
2) from 2nd edition of Norman C. Deno's book, Seed Germination Theory and Practice - Deno doesn't have an entry for Iris cristata in this edition, but he does point out that regarding the host of different germination techniques for different iris species, "one size definitely does not fit all." However, the germination patterns that he has discovered among various iris species that require exposure to 40*F at the beginning of the germination process might be helpful with this one, so I hope anyone reading this will acquire his book.
On Dec 19, 2004, rcn48 from Lexington, VA (Zone 6a) wrote:
Lovely dwarf Iris for the spring garden. Although it has a short blooming period, it readily spreads once established and is wonderful planted amongst taller and later flowering perennials.
On Aug 4, 2003, Ladyfern from Jeffersonville, IN (Zone 6a) wrote:
The darling flowers are way too short-lived. It blooms from the previous year's growth, so it takes a year to establish and bloom. Drought-tolerant. Forms colonies of little sword-shaped leaves--interesting in the woodland garden.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Gainesville, Florida Pensacola, Florida Atlanta, Georgia Cornelia, Georgia Marietta, Georgia Plainfield, Illinois Oak Park, Indiana Portland, Indiana Berkley, Iowa Barbourville, Kentucky Salvisa, Kentucky Ellicott City, Maryland Dracut, Massachusetts Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts Mashpee, Massachusetts Westford, Massachusetts Grand Rapids, Michigan Howell, Michigan Royal Oak, Michigan Blaine, Minnesota Hopkins, Minnesota Minneapolis, Minnesota Harrisonville, Missouri Beatrice, Nebraska Woodstown, New Jersey , New York Centre Island, New York Jefferson, New York West Kill, New York Chapel Hill, North Carolina Clyde, North Carolina Elizabeth City, North Carolina Glen Raven, North Carolina Greensboro, North Carolina Raleigh, North Carolina Kirtland, Ohio Mount Orab, Ohio West Goshen, Pennsylvania India Hook, South Carolina Oakland, South Carolina Summerville, South Carolina Knoxville, Tennessee Murfreesboro, Tennessee Newport, Tennessee Viola, Tennessee Broadway, Virginia Leesburg, Virginia Lexington, Virginia Mechanicsville, Virginia Merrimac, Virginia
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