Dwarf Iris Iris 'Pixie' (Reticulata)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Pixie' is a delightful floral species known for its striking and showy flowers. This plant's blooms are marked by their rich, vibrant colors, typically displaying a deep blue or purple hue with an eye-catching contrast of yellow or white markings. The flowers themselves are composed of six lobes – three upward-standing petals, known as standards, and three downward-curving sepals, which are often referred to as falls. The falls are adorned with a charming spotted or streaked pattern that enhances their ornamental appeal. The foliage of Iris 'Pixie' consists of narrow, sword-shaped leaves that are a lush green, providing a perfect backdrop for the bright blooms. These leaves typically emerge in a fan-like arrangement and stay relatively low to the ground. After the blooming season, the leaves continue to provide a green accent before dying back later in the year. Overall, the appearance of Iris 'Pixie' is one of a compact, yet strikingly beautiful plant. It is beloved for its early spring display of blooms and its ease of care, making it a popular choice for gardens and floral arrangements alike.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Iridaceae
- Synonyms
  Dwarf Iris, Pixie Reticulata, Netted Iris, Reticulated Iris, Spring Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Pixie' (Reticulata)
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Purple
- Height
  4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
- Spread
  2-3 inches (5-8 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Caucasus Iran Turkey

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Iris 'Pixie' offers beautiful, vibrant purple or blue flowers that add striking visual interest to gardens.
- Early Bloomer: It is one of the first plants to bloom in late winter or early spring, providing early-season color.
- Compact Size: The dwarf nature of this iris makes it suitable for rockeries, borders, or small gardens where space is limited.
- Low Maintenance: Once established, it requires minimal care beyond occasional watering and division every few years.
- Drought Tolerance: Iris 'Pixie' is relatively drought tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or dry climate gardens.
- Pollinator-Friendly: These flowers attract bees and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Diverse Planting Options: It can be planted in containers, mixed borders, or naturalized in meadows for versatility in garden design.
- Multiplication: Iris 'Pixie' can multiply and spread over time, providing more plants for additional landscaping or sharing with friends.
- Easy Propagation: Gardeners can easily divide the bulbs to propagate new plants and expand their collection.
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
- Photography subject: The Iris 'Pixie' is often used by photographers, both professional and amateur, to create stunning macro photography images due to its intricate patterns and vibrant colors.
- Artistic inspiration: Artists may use the Iris 'Pixie' as a model for paintings, drawings, and other forms of visual art, capturing its unique beauty.
- Educational tool: Horticulture teachers and students can use the Iris 'Pixie' to learn and demonstrate plant anatomy, pollination, and bulb propagation techniques.
- Dye source: The petals of Iris 'Pixie' can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, though it is not a common use due to the flower's small size.
- Garden design: Irises, including the 'Pixie', are often used to provide a vibrant splash of color in rock gardens and at the fronts of borders due to their shorter stature.
- Crafts: Dried blooms of Iris 'Pixie' can be used in craft projects, such as in homemade potpourris or as delicate decorations on greeting cards or bookmarks.
- Symbolism: The Iris 'Pixie' can represent wisdom, hope, trust, and valor, making it a meaningful addition to gardens dedicated to these themes or as part of floral symbolism discussions.
- Wedding decor: Due to its early blooming period in some regions, Iris 'Pixie' can be used in early spring wedding bouquets or decorations for added color and a touch of elegance.
- Culinary decoration: While not commonly eaten, the petals of some species of iris can be used as an elegant garnish for desserts and special dishes; however, caution should be exercised as some iris parts can be toxic if consumed.
- Perfumery: Some iris species are used in the perfume industry for their scent; although Iris 'Pixie' is not commonly utilized for this purpose, it does contribute a subtle fragrance to the garden.

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: The Iris generally symbolizes hope, representing the expectation of better things to come.
- Wisdom: Historically linked to the Greek goddess Iris, it is a symbol of wisdom and valued for its perceived wise qualities.
- Faith: The flower is often associated with faith due to its upright stance and poised appearance.
- Courage: Its robust nature and ability to bloom early in spring signify courage in the face of adversity.
- Purity: The Iris 'Pixie' has a delicate and pristine appearance that is often related to the idea of purity.
- Royalty: Its regal presence and association with the French monarchy make Iris a symbol of royalty and regal power.

💧

Every 2-3 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 3-4 years

Repotting

🌱️

Early Autumn

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Dwarf irises such as the 'Pixie' require moderate watering, especially during their growth and blooming period, which is typically in the late winter to early spring. It's important to maintain moist but not waterlogged soil conditions. Provide the 'Pixie' with approximately 1 gallon of water per week, adjusting for rain or exceptionally hot and dry conditions. Always water at the base of the plant to avoid getting water on the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases. After blooming and once the foliage starts to die back, gradually reduce watering to help encourage dormancy.
Light
Dwarf iris 'Pixie' prefers full to partial sunlight to thrive. The ideal spot is one where they can receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Be cautious of too much afternoon sun in hotter climates, as it might be too intense. Partial shade can be beneficial in very hot areas to protect the plant from scorching.
Temperature
Dwarf irises like 'Pixie' are hardy and can tolerate a range of temperatures, ideal growing conditions are between 35°F and 70°F. They can withstand cold down to about -20°F and can manage short periods in temperatures up to 80°F, but prolonged heat can be detrimental. Ensure proper mulching to protect their bulbs in harsher winters.
Pruning
Dwarf iris 'Pixie' typically doesn't require much pruning, but deadheading spent blooms after flowering can promote healthier plants and tidy appearance. Pruning is best done as the flowers fade, but before the seed pods fully develop. Regularly remove any brown or damaged leaves to maintain good airflow and prevent disease.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Dwarf Iris (Iris 'Pixie' Reticulata) prefers a well-draining soil mix, enriched with organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure. A mixture of loam, sand, and peat is ideal, creating a loose soil structure that allows for good drainage. The best soil pH for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, in the range of 6.0 to 7.0.
Repotting
Dwarf Iris (Iris 'Pixie' Reticulata) typically don't require frequent repotting and can be repotted every 2-3 years. It is best to repot them after flowering when they are dormant, usually in the late summer.
Humidity & Misting
Dwarf Iris (Iris 'Pixie' Reticulata) is tolerant of most humidity levels and does not require high humidity. Average room humidity is generally sufficient for this plant.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Dwarf Iris in bright, indirect light inside.
- Outdoor
  Plant Dwarf Iris in well-drained soil with full sun.
- Hardiness zone
  4-9 USDA.
Life cycle
The Iris 'Pixie' (Reticulata) begins its life as a bulb planted in late summer or early autumn. After planting, the bulb enters a period of root growth while the temperatures are still mild. As winter sets in, the plant goes dormant, with the bulb surviving the cold under the ground. With the onset of spring, the bulb resumes growth, leading to the emergence of leaves, and soon after, the distinctive purple or blue flowers appear. After flowering, which can last up to three weeks, the foliage continues to photosynthesize, storing energy in the bulb for the next growing season. Once the leaves yellow and die back by early summer, the plant goes dormant again, completing the annual cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Early Autumn
- The most popular method for propagating Iris 'Pixie', which belongs to the Reticulata group, is through division of its bulbs, commonly performed in late summer after the foliage has died back. This ensures that the bulbs have stored enough energy to establish themselves in a new location. To propagate, carefully dig up the clumps of bulbs and gently separate them by hand, making sure that each section has at least one growth point or fan of leaves attached. Replant the bulbs immediately at a depth of about three to four inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) and spaced about three to four inches apart, in well-draining soil with good sunlight. Water thoroughly after planting to initiate root development. This method allows gardeners to quickly increase their stock of Iris 'Pixie' while maintaining the genetic characteristics of the parent plant.