Dwarf Iris Iris 'Gordon' (Reticulata)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Gordon' is notable for its striking flowers, which are a key characteristic feature of the plant. The blooms typically display a rich, deep purple hue, with contrasting markings of white or yellow and often have a velvety texture to their petals. These flowers are supported by slender, green stems that give way to long, narrow leaves. The leaves are typically sword-shaped, with a bright green color, growing in a clumped formation and providing a sharp backdrop to the vibrant flowers. This reticulata iris, while known for its flowers, also forms bulbs beneath the soil, which allow it to emerge year after year. The overall impression of the Iris 'Gordon' is of a plant with dramatic, jewel-toned flowers that can provide a striking splash of color in the garden.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Netted Iris, Dwarf Iris, Reticulated Iris, Gordon's Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Gordon' (Reticulata).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Dwarf Iris, like other Iris species, can be toxic if ingested by humans. The plant contains compounds that can cause gastrointestinal upset with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In some cases, it could also lead to more severe reactions, such as stomach pain and irritation of the mouth and throat. Handling the plant may also cause skin irritation in individuals with sensitive skin. Care should be taken to avoid ingesting any part of the Dwarf Iris.
- To pets
  The Dwarf Iris is also toxic to pets and can cause similar symptoms to those in humans if ingested. The primary toxic components are irisin, iridin, or irisine, which can result in gastrointestinal upset in animals such as dogs and cats. Pets might experience symptoms like vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea, which could lead to dehydration if left untreated. In severe cases, more significant gastrointestinal issues could arise. It is important to prevent pets from ingesting any part of the Dwarf Iris.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Blue
- 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
- Enhances Garden Aesthetics: The Iris 'Gordon' (Dwarf Iris) provides vibrant color and visual interest to gardens or landscape designs.
- Easy to Grow: This plant is known for being low-maintenance and easy to cultivate in a variety of garden settings.
- Early Bloomer: As an early spring bloomer, it adds color to gardens when many other plants are still dormant.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which are beneficial for the health of the garden and the environment.
- Resistant to Pests: Dwarf Iris has a natural resistance to many pests, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Compact Size: Its small stature makes it suitable for planting in rock gardens, borders, and containers.
- Perennial Growth: Being a perennial, it will return year after year, providing long-term value to the garden.
- Propagates Easily: This plant can easily be propagated by dividing bulbs, allowing gardeners to expand their collection or share with others.
- Adaptable: Iris 'Gordon' can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained conditions.
- Provides Ground Cover: When planted in groups, it can serve as an effective ground cover, reducing weed growth and soil erosion.
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
- Creating natural dyes: The petals of the Iris 'Gordon' can be used to produce natural dyes for fabrics, offering a range of beautiful purplish-blue hues.
- Photography subjects: These flowers are often used in macro photography due to their intricate patterns and striking colors, making them a favorite among photographers.
- Educational tools in botany: Iris 'Gordon' can be used as a model in botanical education to explain plant anatomy and pollination mechanisms.
- Perfumery: Although not commonly known, the scent of some Iris 'Gordon' can be used in creating subtle perfume fragrances.
- Artistic inspiration: The elegant form and colors of the Iris 'Gordon' often inspire artists and can be found depicted in watercolor, oil paintings, and other art forms.
- Culinary decoration: The non-toxic petals of Iris 'Gordon' can be used as an ornamental garnish for high-end culinary dishes.
- Floral arrangements: Their unique shape and vibrant colors make them an excellent addition to floral arrangements, especially in contemporary designs.
- Eco-friendly confetti: Dried petals of the Iris 'Gordon' can serve as biodegradable confetti for outdoor celebrations.
- Garden aesthetics: Irises can be planted strategically to create patterns and accents within garden designs, beyond their standard ornamental use.
- Craft materials: Dried parts of the Iris 'Gordon', such as petals and stems, can be incorporated into homemade paper or used in other craft projects.

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
- Heraldry and Emblem: Iris 'Gordon' is often associated with emblems of royalty and heraldry, due to its regal appearance and historical use in royal coats of arms.
- Wisdom and Valour: The iris symbolizes wisdom and valour, reflecting the plant’s dignified form and striking, bold colors that command attention.
- Hope and Faith: It conveys messages of hope and faith, lending encouragement and optimism through its resilience and beauty.
- Purity and Innocence: White varieties of Iris 'Gordon' particularly symbolize purity and innocence, reminiscent of its clear, crisp colors and delicate structure.
- Communication and Messages: Since the flower genus is named after the Greek messenger of the gods, Iris, it symbolically represents communication and the delivery of messages.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Late summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Dwarf Iris 'Gordon' requires moderate watering when the soil surface begins to feel dry, usually about once a week, but this can vary based on temperature and humidity. Give them about 1 inch of water each time, ensuring that the soil is moist but not saturated. During active growth in spring, maintain consistent moisture. However, it's essential to reduce watering after blooming and allow the soil to dry out as the bulbs enter dormancy. Over-watering or allowing the bulbs to sit in soggy soil can lead to rot, so ensure proper drainage is in place.
Light
Dwarf Iris 'Gordon' thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would provide at least six hours of direct sunlight daily, which encourages abundant blooms. They can tolerate some light shade, particularly in the hottest part of the day or in very warm climates. However, too much shade can result in fewer flowers and weaker growth, so aim for a bright location.
Temperature
Dwarf Iris 'Gordon' prefers temperate conditions and can typically withstand temperatures as low as 20°F during dormancy in winter and as high as 85°F during active growth in spring. The ideal temperature for these irises to flourish is between 40°F and 70°F. They can survive brief periods outside of this range, but prolonged exposure to extreme temperatures can be detrimental.
Pruning
Pruning Dwarf Iris 'Gordon' is mainly about removing spent flowers and trimming back dead or yellowing foliage after blooming is over, typically in late spring. This not only maintains the plant's appearance but also helps prevent disease. Cut leaves down to the ground in the fall to prepare the plant for winter. Prune regularly every year to promote healthy growth and flowering for the next season.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dwarf Iris (Iris 'Gordon') thrives in well-draining, loamy soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH of around 6.0-7.0. An ideal soil mix would be a combination of two-thirds loam and one-third sand or grit, which aids in drainage and prevents the bulbs from rotting.
Repotting
Dwarf Iris generally does not need frequent repotting. It is often best to repot or divide these irises every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding, which can lead to a decrease in flowering.
Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Iris, being a hardy bulbous plant, is fairly adaptable, but it doesn't require high humidity; average room humidity should suffice, avoiding excessively dry air.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, cool temps; let soil dry between waterings.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-draining soil, full sun; water when topsoil is dry.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Gordon', commonly known as the 'Gordon' Dwarf Iris, begins its life cycle when the bulb is planted in late summer or early autumn. The bulb will typically experience a period of dormancy over the winter, gathering energy for growth. As temperatures warm in early spring, the bulb sends up green sword-like leaves, followed shortly by stems that bear the distinctive deep purple flowers, usually in late winter to early spring. After flowering, the plant enters a period of photosynthesis and energy storage, during which the foliage continues to grow and absorb nutrients. As the foliage dies back in late spring or early summer, the plant goes into dormancy once again, conserving its energy in the bulb. The cycle repeats annually, with bulbs multiplying over time to create larger clumps of plants.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Late summer
- Iris 'Gordon', commonly known as Gordon's Dwarf Iris, is typically propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this type of bulbous plant. The best time to propagate by division is in late summer, after the foliage has died back, signaling the end of the plant's growing season. To divide the Iris 'Gordon', you begin by carefully lifting the clump of bulbs out of the ground using a spade. Once removed, brush off any excess soil and gently separate the bulbs into individual sections, each with at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the root system. These individual bulbs can then be immediately replanted at a depth of approximately 4 inches (about 10 centimeters) in well-draining soil, spaced about 3 to 4 inches (7.5 to 10 centimeters) apart, to allow for adequate room for growth. Properly divided and replanted, the new plants should flower the following spring.