The 'Winter flowering', 'Algerian' or 'stylosa' Iris which are all loved for their considerable eforts to provide flowers at a time when everything else is at a very low ebb. The flowers appear low down, protected by the (often untidy) sword like leaves. Febuary-March flowering, 15" (38cm) tall. Old, dead 'thatch' can be teased out of the clumps but it may be better to allow some untidiness to ensure the protection. Pulled from the base the flowers open rapidly in the warmth of a room, though are sometimes nibbled by slugs or maybe mice.
Planting instructions
New plants must be sited in sunny well drained situations, but do ensure that they receive some rain in the autumn to initiate the next winter's flowers.