Iris Iris 'Adoring Glances' (SDB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Adoring Glances' is a captivating plant with a stunning display of colors and a distinctive flower structure. The blossoms of this iris have softly ruffled petals which contribute to its elegant appearance. The flowers exhibit a beautiful combination of hues, commonly with a bi-color or multi-color effect with shades that may include deep purples, vibrant yellows, rich blues, and creamy whites. The petals consist of two different kinds, with the upright petals called 'standards' and the downward curving petals known as 'falls.' The falls often have a strikingly different color or pattern compared to the standards, enhancing the plant's intricate beauty. At the center of the falls, there may be a conspicuous 'beard,' which is a fuzzy line that can present a contrasting color, adding further interest to the flower's appearance. The foliage of the iris typically comprises long, slender leaves that are sword-shaped, forming a dense clump. These leaves are often a deep green which contrasts the bright flowers and can present a striking visual throughout the growing season, even when the plant is not in bloom. The Iris 'Adoring Glances' presents a lush, vibrant look in any garden, creating eye-catching spots of color and texture with its unique and varied flowers emerging from its gracefully arranged foliage.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, SDB Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Adoring Glances' (SDB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Dwarf Bearded Iris, like other iris species, contains compounds that can be toxic if ingested. These plants contain irisin, iridin, or irisine, which can cause gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. There is also a potential risk for skin irritation upon contact with the sap, so it is advisable to handle the plant with care and wash hands afterward. Ingesting significant amounts of the rhizomes or other plant parts could lead to more severe symptoms and may require medical attention.
- To pets
  Dwarf Bearded Iris has compounds that may also be toxic to pets if ingested. Similar to humans, consumption can result in gastrointestinal upset for animals, which may include symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, or drooling. It is particularly important to prevent pets from digging up and chewing on the rhizomes, as these contain the highest concentration of toxic substances. If you suspect your pet has ingested parts of a Dwarf Bearded Iris, it is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: The plant provides aesthetic beauty with its vibrant flowers, enhancing the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Low Maintenance: Iris 'Adoring Glances' requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerance: This plant is tolerant of dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering and making it ideal for xeriscaping.
- Pest Resilience: It has a natural resistance to many pests and diseases, minimizing the need for chemical treatments.
- Adaptability: The plant can adapt to a range of soil types and environmental conditions, ensuring success in various garden settings.
- Seasonal Interest: It provides seasonal interest with its spring blooms, bringing an early splash of color to the garden after winter.
- Attracts Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, promoting biodiversity.
- Compact Growth: Its small and compact growth habit makes it an excellent choice for borders, rock gardens, and containers.
- Propagation Ease: It can be easily propagated by division, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Versatility: Iris 'Adoring Glances' can be used in cut flower arrangements, adding color and elegance to indoor settings.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Fragrance Source: Iris 'Adoring Glances' can be used in the garden to provide a pleasing fragrance. Its flowers can emit subtle scents that can enhance the sensory experience of a garden.
- Artistic Inspiration: The vibrant colors and unique shapes of iris flowers have long inspired artists and could be used in various forms of art, ranging from painting to photography.
- Edible Decoration: Some iris varieties have edible flowers that can be used as a decorative element in salads or as garnishes on desserts and other dishes.
- Dye Production: The flowers and stems can be used in the production of natural dyes for fabrics, yarns, and papers.
- Educational Tool: Schools and educational programs can use the plant to teach students about botany and the life cycle of flowers.
- Thematic Gardening: Irises can be included in thematic gardens, such as 'romantic' or 'Victorian', because of their classic beauty and historical association with these themes.
- Feng Shui: Some practitioners use irises in their Feng Shui gardens to represent wisdom, hope, trust, and valor.
- Photography Props: Due to their striking appearance, Iris 'Adoring Glances' can serve as an excellent subject for photographers, particularly those specializing in botanical photography.
- Floral Arrangements: While not an unusual use, irises can be included in cut flower arrangements for their eye-catching appearance and to add vertical interest.
- Wedding Decor: Irises can be incorporated into wedding bouquets and venue decorations for their aesthetic appeal and symbolism of hope and faith.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Royalty: The Iris often symbolizes regality and elegance due to its majestic appearance and historical association with French royalty, particularly the use of the fleur-de-lis as a royal emblem.
- Hope and Faith: The flower's sturdy stalk and ability to bloom each year is emblematic of hope and faith in the face of life's challenges.
- Wisdom: In some cultures, the Iris is associated with wisdom and cherished for its perceived ability to convey messages between the heavens and the earth.
- Purity: The delicate form and pure colors of the Iris convey a sense of innocence and purity.
- Courage: The Iris may also represent courage, inspired by its diverse range and ability to grow in a variety of conditions.
- Admiration: The variety 'Adoring Glances' specifically may carry the added connotation of admiration, as suggested by its name, referring to the loving gaze or appreciation one might direct towards something beautiful.

💧

Every 7 to 10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3 to 4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Fall

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Dwarf bearded iris, like 'Adoring Glances', should be watered deeply but infrequently to mimic their natural dry habitat. It's important to allow the soil to dry out between watering sessions. In the growing season, typically spring through early summer, they may require watering once a week, depending on weather conditions, providing about one gallon of water per square yard. During the dormant season, they will need less water. Always avoid overhead watering to prevent issues with rot.
Light
Dwarf bearded iris thrives in full sun conditions, requiring a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight daily. The ideal location for planting is in an area that receives unfiltered sunshine throughout the day to ensure the best growth and bloom production.
Temperature
Dwarf bearded iris prefer temperate climates and can tolerate winter cold, withstanding temperatures as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature range for robust growth is between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit; however, they can survive short periods in temperatures reaching as high as 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Pruning dwarf bearded iris involves removing spent flower stalks at their base after blooming and cutting back foliage in the fall to prevent disease. Prune annually to promote healthy growth and prevent issues such as iris borer infestation. The best time for pruning is post-bloom and before winter sets in.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The Dwarf Bearded Iris prefers well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.8 - 7.0). A good soil mix for this iris would contain loamy garden soil, compost, and coarse sand to ensure adequate drainage.
Repotting
Dwarf Bearded Irises typically do not need frequent repotting and can thrive for several years before division is required. They should be repotted or divided every 3 to 5 years to maintain vigor.
Humidity & Misting
The Dwarf Bearded Iris is tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels but does best in moderate conditions. It is not necessary to provide additional humidity for this plant.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Provide bright light, minimal water, avoid heat sources.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, space 12-24 inches apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Adoring Glances', commonly known as Dwarf Bearded Iris, begins its life cycle as a seed, which when sown, germinates in the right conditions of soil and temperature. After germination, the seedling grows into a young plant with characteristic narrow, sword-shaped leaves and develops a rhizome, a horizontal underground stem that stores nutrients. As the plant matures, it forms distinctive flowers on a stem, characterized by petals and sepals that can come in a variety of colors, typically blooming in late spring or early summer. Once pollination occurs, usually by insects attracted to the flower's color and scent, the plant may produce seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. Throughout the growing season, the plant continues to photosynthesize, store energy, and increase in size, while the rhizomes can also give rise to new shoots, spreading the plant. After flowering, the plant enters a period of dormancy during colder months but will return to active growth with the onset of warm weather in the following spring, repeating its life cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Fall
- The most popular method of propagation for the Iris 'Adoring Glances', a type of Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, is by division of their rhizomes. This is ideally done after the blooming period which is usually late summer to early fall. To propagate, gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of irises, gently separate the rhizomes by breaking them apart, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the roots. It is important to trim the leaves to about a third of their height, which equates to roughly 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and make planting easier. After dividing, the rhizomes should be replanted promptly into well-draining soil, with the top of the rhizome exposed to the air and sunlight, as this encourages healthy growth and bloom for the next season.