Japanese name: イリス レティクラタ Scientific name:Iris reticulata
[Overview]
A perennial about 15 cm tall.
The bulb is covered with a fibrous net.
The leaves are linear with a square cross-section and firm in texture; at flowering they are as tall as the flowers, but after flowering they grow to 30–40 cm.
The flowers are purple, about 5–6 cm across, with 6 tepals; the 3 outer tepals are obovate, with a yellow to orange stripe in the center surrounded by white and purple markings.
The inner tepals are oblanceolate and upright.
The fruit is a capsule.
The aboveground parts die back in late spring, and the plant is dormant in summer.
[Cultivation]
Propagate by dividing bulbs.
It can be left planted for several years.
It prefers a sunny, well-drained site.
For potted plants, water thoroughly when the soil surface dries during the growing period, and keep on the dry side during dormancy.
For plants in the ground, rainfall is sufficient.
Fertilizing can be light; if basal fertilizer is applied, almost none is needed, but for potted plants a small amount of chemical or organic fertilizer may be placed on the soil after flowering.
When flowering is over, cut off the flower stalk entirely so the plant does not become exhausted.
There are no particular pests or diseases.
