Dutch Iris Iris 'Eye Catcher' (Reticulata)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Eye Catcher' is a captivating plant known for its striking and colorful flowers. Its blossoms are a mesmerizing blend of colors, typically featuring rich blues or purples, with contrasting color patterns that may include spots, splashes, or stripes in shades of yellow or white. The petals have a delicate, velvety texture and are arranged in a classic iris form, with some petals standing upright while others cascade downward. The leaves of the Iris 'Eye Catcher' are slender, elongated, and have a grass-like appearance, often with a slight arch. They emerge from the base of the plant, creating a lush, green backdrop that accentuates the beauty of the blooms. The foliage is bright green, adding to the overall vibrancy of the plant. As a member of the reticulata group, Iris 'Eye Catcher' typically blooms in early spring, heralding the new season with its eye-catching flowers. Each flower sits atop a slender, green stalk that emerges from amongst the leaves, presenting the blooms at an ideal level for viewing and admiration. These blooms are known for their fragrance, which can add a sweet and inviting scent to the garden or any space where the Iris 'Eye Catcher' is planted. Overall, Iris 'Eye Catcher' is celebrated for its stunning floral display and is a popular choice for gardeners wanting to create a focal point in their garden beds, borders, or containers. It is a visual delight and truly lives up to its name by catching the eye of passersby.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Dutch Iris, Reticulata Iris, Netted Iris, Eye Catcher Iris.
- Common names
  Iris 'Eye Catcher' (Reticulata).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Eye Catcher' is not typically classified as a highly toxic plant to humans, but it can cause some adverse reactions if ingested. All parts of the plant contain compounds that can be problematic, particularly the rhizomes (the underground stems). If someone eats parts of the iris, they may experience symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Handling the plant can sometimes cause skin irritation for sensitive individuals. It is advisable to avoid ingesting any parts of the plant and to handle it with care.
- To pets
  The Iris 'Eye Catcher' can be toxic to pets if ingested. This plant contains irisin, iridin, or irisine which are irritants to animals. The most toxic part of the plant is typically the rhizomes. If a pet consumes parts of the iris, they might show symptoms that include vomiting, drooling, lethargy, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, ingestion can lead to more serious issues such as depression of the central nervous system. It is important to prevent pets from chewing on or ingesting this plant to avoid possible poisoning.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
- Spread
  3 inches (7.5 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Turkey

Benefits

General Benefits
- Early Spring Bloom: Iris 'Eye Catcher' is among the first plants to bloom in spring, providing early color to gardens after winter.
- Compact Size: Its small, compact size makes it perfect for rock gardens, borders, and small spaces.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, providing valuable early-season nectar for these essential garden pollinators.
- Easy to Grow: This variety of iris is known for being easy to cultivate and low maintenance, suitable for novice gardeners.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it requires minimal watering, making it an excellent choice for water-conservative gardens.
- Cold Hardy: It is capable of withering cold climates, making it suitable for gardens in cooler zones.
- Deer Resistant: The plant is typically resistant to deer, which is beneficial for gardens in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Attractive Foliage: Even when not in bloom, the slender, grass-like leaves add texture and interest to the garden.
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
- The dried and powdered rhizomes of Iris could potentially be used as a natural insect repellent due to their aromatic properties, though this is not a common or widespread use.
- The fibers of some Iris species can be used in paper-making, providing a unique texture and aesthetic to handcrafted papers.
- Iris petals can be used in the art of flower pounding, where the color and shape of petals are transferred onto fabric or paper to create organic designs.
- The seeds of Iris ‘Eye Catcher’ might be used in jewelry making, as they can be dried, drilled, and strung into necklaces or bracelets.
- Dense plantings of Iris can help with soil erosion control by stabilizing banks and slopes with their root systems.
- The blooms of the Iris can be used in potpourri mixtures to add a touch of color, though they do not retain their fragrance when dried.
- In culinary arts, some cultures use the flavor of Iris flowers to infuse syrups or sugars, although this is quite rare and not typically associated with the ‘Eye Catcher’ variety.
- The robust leaves of the Iris can be woven or plaited to create small, decorative items like bookmarks or cards, similar to the use of palm fronds in craft.
- Iris blooms can be pressed and used in botanical art prints or embedded into candles for decorative purposes.
- Gardeners occasionally use the strong vertical lines of Iris leaves to create textural contrast in floral arrangements and landscaping designs.

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
- Faith: Irises often symbolize faith, reflecting a trust and belief in something beyond oneself.
- Hope: The plant indicates hope, suggesting an optimistic outlook and the belief in a positive future.
- Wisdom: The iris is a symbol of wisdom, representing knowledge, learning, and experience.
- Courage: Historically, the iris has been a symbol of courage, demonstrating the boldness and bravery of individuals, such as warriors.
- Royalty: Irises have been linked to royalty due to their regal appearance and status as a symbol in various heraldic traditions.

💧

When soil is dry

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late Summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Dwarf irises like the 'Eye Catcher' require moderate watering, and the soil should be kept evenly moist. During the active growing period in spring, water them once a week with approximately half a gallon per square yard of soil, depending on the soil's moisture retention and rainfall. Make sure the water penetrates deeply into the soil to encourage deeper rooting. After blooming, when the plants enter dormancy in summer, reduce watering significantly to prevent bulb rot. Always avoid overwatering, as dwarf irises are sensitive to excessive moisture.
Light
Dwarf irises prefer full sun to light shade. The ideal spot for 'Eye Catcher' is a location where it receives at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. However, they can tolerate some light shade, especially in hotter regions where some afternoon shade can prevent overheating.
Temperature
Dwarf irises, including 'Eye Catcher', thrive in temperatures ranging from 35 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can survive minor frosts and cold temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from harsh winter conditions and prolonged exposure to temperatures below this range. The ideal temperature for robust growth and flowering is between 55 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pruning
Pruning dwarf irises such as 'Eye Catcher' mainly involves deadheading spent flowers to maintain a neat appearance and prevent seed formation. After blooming, cut back the flower stalks to the base but leave the foliage in place as it gathers energy for next year's growth. In late summer or early fall, once the leaves yellow and die back, they can be trimmed off. Pruning is typically done annually after flowering and as leaves die back.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dwarf Iris 'Eye Catcher' thrives in a well-draining, loamy to sandy soil with moderate fertility. A neutral to slightly alkaline pH, around 6.5 to 7.0, is ideal. To create the best soil mix, combine two parts loam, one part sand, and one part compost to ensure good drainage and nutrient content.
Repotting
Dwarf Irises typically do not need frequent repotting and can be left undisturbed for several years. Repot or divide clumps when they become overcrowded, generally every 3 to 5 years, to maintain plant vigor and encourage blooming.
Humidity & Misting
The Dwarf Iris 'Eye Catcher' is not demanding regarding humidity and can tolerate the average humidity levels found in most outdoor environments. It does not require specific humidity adjustments when grown in natural conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  For Dwarf Iris, provide bright light and cool temperatures indoors.
- Outdoor
  Plant Dwarf Iris in well-drained soil; full sun to part shade.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
Iris 'Eye Catcher' (Reticulata) begins its life as a bulb, which typically is planted in the fall, several weeks before the ground freezes. In late winter to early spring, it breaks dormancy and sends up shoots, producing striking blue or purple flowers with distinctive patterning. After blooming, the foliage continues to photosynthesize, providing energy for the bulb to store for the next season. As the weather warms, the leaves yellow and die back, and the plant enters a dormant phase during the hot summer months. In this dormant stage, the bulb rests until the cooler temperatures of autumn signal the time to begin developing roots in preparation for the next growth cycle. Each year, the bulb can produce offsets, which can be separated and replanted to propagate new plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late Summer
- Propogation: The most popular method for propagating Iris 'Eye Catcher' (Reticulata) is through division of the bulbs. This is typically done in late summer, after the foliage has died back, allowing the bulbs to store energy for the next growing season. Gardeners should carefully dig up the clumps of bulbs and gently separate them by hand, taking care not to damage the bulbs. Smaller bulbs, or ‘bulblets’, that have formed around the base of the mother bulb can be detached and planted individually. It’s advised to plant the bulbs at a depth three times their height, which is roughly 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters), in well-draining soil and with ample sunlight. Watering should be moderate until new growth appears. This method ensures that each new plant will retain the characteristics of the 'Eye Catcher' variety.