Iris bucharica

The broad, bright green leaves of this dwarf iris – it reaches just 15cm or so in height – take second stage when, in mid-spring, the bold flowers arrive. Long, pointed buds emerge first, perhaps as many as seven from a single bulb, before opening into blooms that sit atop the foliage. Translucent, pale cream central petals (or ‘standards’), and strong lemon-yellow side petals (or ‘falls’), with darker markings, make this small plant a real giant! It is scented, too. The throat of each flower is marked with three darkish lines – sightlines for pollinating insects.  

Introduced to gardeners as long ago as 1902, Iris bucharica is a Juno iris, which means that it originates from Afghanistan, where the winters are cold, and the summers are hot and arid. Because this Iris is so short, plant it near a path, or in a raised bed or patio container, where you can smell it, and admire its lovely blooms at close quarters.