Dwarf Iris Iris 'Lilli-white' (SDB)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Iris 'Lilli-white' is a charming perennial that showcases striking flowers characteristic of the Iris family. Its blooms display pure white petals that exude an air of elegance and simplicity. The flower consists of both upright standards and downward curving falls, creating a graceful contrast. The falls often feature a gentle soft yellow or greenish throat, adding a subtle touch of color that accentuates the pristine whiteness of the petals. This iris has a robust and bushy foliage, with blade-like leaves that are a vibrant green, providing a lush backdrop for the delicate flowers. As a compact and clump-forming plant, it's a delightful addition to any garden that aims to create a tapestry of colors and textures, while the blooms can also make an attractive cut flower for indoor arrangements.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae.
- Synonyms
  Dwarf Bearded Iris, Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, SDB Iris.
- Common names
  Iris 'Lilli-white' (SDB).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The Iris 'Lilli-white', commonly known as the Dwarf Bearded Iris, contains several toxic compounds, mainly irisin, irisine, and iridin, which are found in the rhizomes and bulbs. If any part of the Dwarf Bearded Iris is ingested by humans, it can lead to symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, ingestion could potentially result in dermatitis or an allergic reaction when handled, but this is more likely from contact rather than ingestion. It is important to avoid ingesting any part of the plant and to seek medical attention if symptoms occur after handling or ingesting Dwarf Bearded Iris.
- To pets
  The Dwarf Bearded Iris is toxic to pets if ingested. The rhizomes and bulbs contain compounds that can cause gastrointestinal irritation, resulting in symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, and diarrhea. Additionally, excessive ingestion may lead to lethargy or more severe health issues. Pet owners should keep Dwarf Bearded Iris plants out of reach of pets and seek veterinary care if their pet displays symptoms of poisoning after consuming any part of the plant.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  White
- Height
  1 feet 6 inches (45.72 cm)
- Spread
  1 feet (30.48 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Decorative Appeal: Iris 'Lilli-white' features attractive white flowers that add aesthetic value to gardens and landscapes.
- Compact Size: Being a dwarf variety, it fits well in smaller gardens or spaces where full-sized irises might be too large.
- Spring Bloomer: This plant offers early seasonal blooms, providing color in the garden when many other plants have not yet flowered.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it can tolerate dry conditions, making it suitable for regions with water restrictions or xeriscaping needs.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal upkeep beyond basic watering and occasional fertilization, ideal for gardeners seeking low-effort plants.
- Cold Hardy: Capable of surviving in colder climates, which makes it a versatile choice for many different garden zones.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers can attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems and biodiversity.
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: Iris 'Lilli-white' can be used as a subject for drawing, painting, and photography due to its striking beauty and color, providing a source of inspiration for artists and hobbyists.
- Educational tool: This iris can be used in botany classes to teach about plant anatomy and taxonomy, as its distinct features can help illustrate various botanical concepts.
- Culinary decoration: The petals of Iris 'Lilli-white' can be used as a non-toxic decorative element on cakes and desserts, although they should not be consumed.
- Crafting: The dried petals of the iris can be used in crafting activities such as making bookmarks, pressed flower art, or potpourri.
- Natural dye: The petals of Iris 'Lilli-white' can be used to create a light, natural dye for fabrics or paper, offering a subtle color derived from the plant.
- Garden design: Irises can be used as a natural border in garden designs, creating a visual barrier that adds both structure and beauty to a landscaped space.
- Companion planting: Iris 'Lilli-white' can be used in companion planting schemes to help deter certain pests, as some anecdotal evidence suggests that its scent may be unappealing to rodent pests.
- Scent extraction: The fragrance of Iris 'Lilli-white' can be used in the manufacture of perfumes and scented products, though the process is complex and typically done with other iris species.
- Event decoration: The blooms of the iris can be used in floral arrangements for weddings or other events, bringing a touch of elegance and sophistication to table settings and decor.
- Conservation education: The iris can serve as a model organism in conservation education, highlighting the need for habitat protection and plant conservation efforts.

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
- Hope: Irises generally symbolize hope, reflecting the expectation of positive outcomes and better times ahead.
- Wisdom: Often associated with wisdom, irises can be indicative of valuable knowledge or learning experiences.
- Trust: The iris can also represent trust, conveying a sense of loyalty and reliability in relationships.
- Courage: The flower is a symbol of courage, emblematic of the inner strength required to face challenges.
- Purity: The white color of the 'Lilli-white' variant specifically embodies purity and innocence.
- Royalty: Historically, irises have been associated with royalty and regal bearing due to their majestic appearance.

💧

Every 7-10 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Spring

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Dwarf iris 'Lilli-white' requires consistent moisture during the growing season, particularly when the plant is setting buds and blooming. Generally, it's ideal to water dwarf irises once a week with about 1 gallon of water per plant. However, it's important to adjust watering based on weather conditions; during particularly hot, dry spells, you may need to water more frequently. Ensure the soil around the iris is well-draining to prevent waterlogging. After blooming, you can reduce watering as the plant enters a dormant period.
Light
For the dwarf iris 'Lilli-white', full sun is the best lighting condition, which means the plant should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. An ideal spot would not be shaded by trees or other structures during the peak sunlight hours. However, in extremely hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect the flowers from scorching.
Temperature
Dwarf iris 'Lilli-white' thrives in a temperate range, doing best in environments where the temperature stays between 35 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It can withstand minimum temperatures down to about 5 degrees Fahrenheit. To encourage vigorous growth and flowering, maintain the ideal temperature during the growing season and ensure proper winter care if temperatures fall below this range.
Pruning
Dwarf iris 'Lilli-white' should be pruned to remove spent flower stems after blooming to maintain a neat appearance and encourage energy to be directed into bulb growth. Additionally, prune away damaged or diseased leaves as needed, and in the late fall, cut back foliage to a few inches above the ground. The best time for major pruning is post-flowering or in autumn before winter sets in.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dwarf Bearded Iris, commonly known as Iris 'Lilli-white', thrives best in well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH between 6.8 and 7.0. A good soil mix for this plant would consist of loamy garden soil amended with compost and coarse sand to improve drainage. It is important to avoid heavy, clay-rich soils and to ensure the rhizomes are not buried deeply but positioned slightly above the soil surface.
Repotting
Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Lilli-white' does not require frequent repotting and can often be left undisturbed for several years. They should be divided and repotted every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate the plant's vigour. Repotting is best done after blooming, during late summer to early fall.
Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Lilli-white' prefers outdoor conditions where humidity is not a significant concern. They are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not require specific humidity conditions to thrive. The plant is well-adapted to typical outdoor environments and does not need high humidity.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light and good airflow for Dwarf Bearded Iris.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, provide good drainage for Dwarf Bearded Iris.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The plant Iris 'Lilli-white' (SDB), commonly known as a Dwarf Bearded Iris, begins its life cycle when the gardener plants its rhizome, typically in late summer to early fall. The rhizome roots in the soil, establishing a strong foundation before entering dormancy in the winter. In the spring, new growth emerges as fans of leaves and stalks that eventually produce the plant's distinctive white flowers. After flowering, usually in late spring to early summer, the plant enters a vegetative stage, where it continues to grow and store energy until the weather cools. In late summer, the plant might produce a second, though less vigorous, bloom before preparing for dormancy again. The life cycle repeats annually, with the plant growing larger and often being divided every 3-5 years to maintain vigor.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Spring
- Iris 'Lilli-white', a type of Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris, is commonly propagated through division, which is a simple and effective method for increasing your stock of these plants. The best time to divide and propagate irises is during late summer to early fall, a few weeks after they have finished blooming. This allows the plants enough time to establish their roots before the onset of winter. To propagate by division, you should carefully dig up an established clump and separate the rhizomes, ensuring that each section has at least one fan of leaves. Trim the leaves to about one-third their height, which is typically 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters), to reduce water loss and make handling easier. Replant the divisions at the same depth they were growing before, allowing about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) between each plant to ensure they have ample space to grow. It's important to water them in well and continue to provide adequate moisture as they become established in their new location.