Miniature Tall Bearded Iris Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' (MTB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' is a captivating plant distinguished by its striking flowers. Its blossoms exhibit a unique color palette, primarily featuring bright yellow and deep purple. Each flower is composed of multiple petals, with the falls (lower petals) showcasing a rich purple hue at their centers which fades to pale yellow at the edges, often adorned with delicate veining or dotting. The standards (upright petals) contrast this with a lighter, more uniform yellow shade. The vibrant flowers are borne atop slender, upright stalks, which emerge from clumps of sword-shaped, green foliage. The leaves are long and linear, with a slightly arching habit, adding to the plant’s overall gracefulness. The contrast between the dark green leaves and the cheerful colors of the flowers creates an eye-catching display in any garden. The overall appearance of the Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' evokes the image of a bumblebee, as suggested by its name, with the yellow and purple mimic the insect's coloration. The plant exudes a classic elegance and adds a pop of color, making it a favorite among garden enthusiasts looking to infuse their landscapes with charm and vibrancy.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, Table Iris, Dwarf Bearded Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' (MTB)
Toxicity
- To humans
  Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, commonly referred to as Miniature TB Iris, is not known to be highly toxic to humans. However, like many iris species, it contains compounds that can cause irritation and discomfort if ingested. Some individuals may experience mild symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea after consuming parts of the iris plant. Handling the plant can sometimes cause skin irritation due to the presence of certain compounds like irisin, iridin, or isoferulic acid. It is generally advised to avoid ingesting any parts of the Miniature TB Iris and to wash hands after handling the plant to prevent possible skin irritation.
- To pets
  Miniature Tall Bearded Iris (Miniature TB Iris) possesses a level of toxicity to pets, including dogs and cats. The rhizomes (underground stems) of the iris contain the highest concentration of toxic compounds, which can cause gastrointestinal distress if ingested. Symptoms of iris poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and lethargy. In some cases, ingestion may also lead to abdominal pain and irritation of the mouth and throat. It's important to prevent pets from chewing on any part of the plant, especially the rhizomes, and to seek veterinary care if ingestion occurs and symptoms appear.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Spread
  0.5-1 feet (15-30 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  3-9
- Native area
  Cultivar

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Value: Adds vibrant colors and dynamic shapes to gardens with its attractive yellow and purple blooms.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a practical choice for busy gardeners.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, can withstand periods of low water, reducing the need for frequent irrigation.
- Attracts Pollinators: Flowers attract bees, which are essential for pollination and maintaining a healthy ecosystem.
- Adaptable: Able to thrive in a range of soil types and pH levels, making it versatile for different garden settings.
- Compact Growth: The 'Bumblebee Deelite' is a miniature tall bearded iris, making it ideal for smaller spaces or borders without overpowering other plants.
- Seasonal Interest: Typically blooms in late spring to early summer, providing seasonal interest during this time.
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
- Artistic Inspiration: The unique colors and patterns of Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' can inspire artists in creating botanical illustrations, watercolor paintings, and floral designs.
- Photography: The vibrant combination of colors makes these irises an excellent subject for professional and amateur photographers specializing in plant and flower photography.
- Educational Tool: Botany teachers can use the plant to teach students about genetic inheritance and variation within flower species.
- Dye Production: Although not commonly used for this purpose, the petals of the Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' could potentially be used to produce natural dyes for textiles or crafts.
- Floral Arrangements: The small stature of these irises makes them a quaint addition to table-top floral arrangements or as boutonnieres for special events.
- Theme Gardens: They can be included in a bee-themed garden to highlight the important relationship between plants and pollinators.
- Eco-friendly Confetti: Dried petals of the Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite' can be used as a biodegradable confetti alternative for celebrations.
- Culinary Presentation: Although not a common practice, petals could be used as a garnish for culinary dishes, provided they haven’t been treated with pesticides.
- Signature Scents: The flowers can inspire perfumers in creating signature scents that capture the essence of a spring garden.
- Wedding Decor: Due to their romantic appearance and coloration, these irises can be used in wedding bouquets or as part of the wedding venue decor.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The plant Iris is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The plant Iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Faith: The Iris commonly symbolizes faith, expressing trust and belief in something or someone.
- Hope: Irises are often associated with hope, representing a sense of expectation and desire for a certain thing to happen.
- Wisdom: An Iris can be a symbol of wisdom, alluding to knowledge, experience, and enlightened understanding.
- Courage: This flower also represents courage, indicative of the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation.
- Purity: The Iris is often associated with purity, symbolizing cleanliness, innocence, and chastity.
- Royalty: Due to their regal appearance, Irises can symbolize royalty, signifying traits of majesty, sovereignty, and supreme authority.

💧

Every week

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The best practice for watering a Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, like the Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite', is to ensure it receives consistent moisture, especially during the growing season. Initially, water this iris twice a week to help establish roots, providing about an inch of water each time. Once established, watering can be reduced to once a week with the same amount. However, during dry spells or extreme heat, you may need to increase watering slightly. Be careful not to overwater, as irises do not like to sit in waterlogged soil; ensure proper drainage. In terms of volume, aim to provide the iris with around half a gallon per week during regular weather conditions.
Light
Miniature Tall Bearded Iris like 'Bumblebee Deelite' perform best in full sunlight, receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would be in an unobstructed south-facing garden where they can bask in the sun's rays without any shade. They can tolerate partial shade, but too much can lead to fewer blooms and increased risk of disease.
Temperature
Miniature Tall Bearded Irises including the 'Bumblebee Deelite' variety prefer temperate conditions and can survive in temperature ranges from as low as 14°F in dormancy to as high as 86°F during the growing season. However, the ideal growing temperatures for these irises are between 68°F and 75°F. Sudden temperature shifts should be avoided to prevent stress on the plant.
Pruning
Miniature Tall Bearded Irises like 'Bumblebee Deelite' should be pruned to encourage healthy growth and flowering. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to promote more blooms and cut back the foliage to within a few inches of the ground after blooming to revitalize the plant. Divide and prune the rhizomes in the late summer, every three to four years, to maintain vigor and prevent overcrowding.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for a Dwarf Bearded Iris should be well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral, with an ideal pH range of 6.1 to 7.0. A good mix can be created with loamy garden soil, compost, and sand.
Repotting
Dwarf Bearded Irises typically don't need frequent repotting and do well when undisturbed. Divide and repot every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding.
Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Bearded Irises prefer outdoor conditions and do not require high humidity, they are quite tolerant of dry air.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure full sun, well-drained soil, minimal watering.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-drained soil; full sun; spaced 30cm apart.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA.
Life cycle
The life of an MTB Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite', or Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, begins with seed germination, typically in late winter or spring, where it requires a stratification period of cold to break dormancy. Once germinated, the seedling develops into a juvenile plant with a small rhizome and foliage that grows and establishes itself over the spring and summer months. The iris reaches maturity in its second or third year when it begins to flower, usually in late spring to early summer, showcasing its characteristic yellow and purple blooms. After the flowering period, the plant enters a phase of vegetative growth where the rhizome expands and can be divided to propagate new plants. Throughout the summer and into fall, the foliage continues to photosynthesize, storing energy in the rhizome for the next year’s growth cycle. Finally, as temperatures drop in the fall, the iris enters dormancy, with the foliage dying back and the rhizome resting until the next growing season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early spring
- The Iris 'Bumblebee Deelite', a type of Miniature Tall Bearded (MTB) iris, is often propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this plant. This involves separating the iris rhizomes, which are the horizontal underground stems that store energy for the plant. The best time for dividing MTB irises is late summer after they have finished blooming, typically around July to September. When dividing, gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of rhizomes and gently separate them using their hands or a knife, ensuring that each division has at least one fan of leaves and a section of the rhizome. The divisions should be replanted quickly, at a depth where the top of the rhizome is just visible above the soil surface, spaced about 12 to 18 inches (approximately 30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow sufficient room for growth. It's important to water the new divisions well to help establish them.