Standard Dwarf Bearded Irises

Tall Bearded irises are gorgeous, but equally as beautiful and a less well known are Standard Dwarf Bearded irises, a title abbreviated to ‘SDB’. These short irises grow to between 21 cm and 40 cm high and usually flower in May, although in southern counties, and warm springs, they can start to bloom in April.

The History Of Standard Dwarf Iris

The flowers are smaller than those of Tall Bearded varieties; sitting just above a low, clump of sword-like, grey-green leaves. Up until the 1950’s only two very short bearded irises were found in our gardens; wild Mediterranean Iris lutescens, with purple or yellow flowers and a little Austrian native I. pumila that also has reddish brown flowers. Then two American iris breeders who lived 500 miles apart began posting pollen to each other taken from irises flowering in their gardens. Geddes Douglas, a resident of the southern state of Tennessee, sent pollen from tall irises flowers up to Paul Cook in the northern state of Indiana. Cook returned the favour and posted pollen from short flowering Iris pumila down to Douglas. Both used the pollen to pollenate Bearded irises of different heights. The offspring became known as Standard Dwarf Bearded irises, a name coined by the American Iris Society. The first introductions are still available today including Iris ‘Lilli-white’ and ‘Green Spot’. 

 Above:  Iris 'Green Spot', Iris 'Ice & Indigo', Iris 'Bluebeard's Ghost', Iris 'Lady In Red'

Since then thousands of varieties have been introduced. The oldest of these have falls (the three lower petals) that drooping down, whereas more modern varieties have falls that flare outwards. This trait creates a more colourful clump when viewed from above. The beards also add further colour, drawing the eye to the flower. 

 Above: Iris 'Forever Blue', Iris 'Eyebright', Iris 'Lilli-White', Iris 'Banbury Ruffles'

Hardy Irises

Bearded irises are very hardy, but some are more vigorous than others. The toughest varieties we grow on the nursery were raised in Canada, a country with long, harsh winters. Less hardy, and more susceptible to rotting in damper soils are Bearded irises with pink flowers. 

Above: Iris 'Heather Carpet', Iris 'Riveting', Iris 'Ulitmate', Iris 'Devoted'

What To Grow Standard Dwarf Irises With

I grow dwarf irises at the front of a border next to early flowering, low growing hardy geraniums, little catmints and geums. They can be planted with other bearded irises to extend the iris flowering period, or even grown in containers for a few years. Like all Bearded irises, dwarf irises like a well-drained soil in a sunny position.