With petals that remind us of fine silk, Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ , although a dwarf iris this one is big on appeal.
This cultivar is from the UK where it was named after Katherine Hodgkin wife of Eliot Hodgkin a noted plantsman. With its almost paisley patterned flowers it is appropriated that his was bred in the 1960s, ‘flower power’ at its best.
If you are looking for a reliable Iris for the rock garden that will attract a host of comments than this could be it.
It is a hybrid between Iris histriodes and Iris winogradowii and as such is propagated by division.
We grow our Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ is both containers and in a raised rock garden. Over time we have found it to be reliable in the rock garden.
Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ Care
Best grown in a sunny position in a humus rich well drained soil. Like all of the Reticulata Iris, ‘Katharine Hodgkin’ really needs to go into the ground after a year or two to maintain vigour.
Foliage follows the flowers and should be left until it dies right back in spring to summer. This provided the bulbs with the energy for next seasons growth.
Summary
- Height – 12cm
- Spread – Flower size is 6 – 7 cm
- Soil – Humus rich free draining
- Flowers – Winter to spring very pale blue and deeper blue petals with deeper falls marked with a deeper blue, yellow and white.
- Position – Full sun
You may also be interested in
- Iris reticulata varieties
- Iris reticulata ‘Alida’
- Iris reticulata ‘Katharine Hodgkin’
- Iris reticulata ‘George’