Iris cristata

Dwarf Crested Iris

Charming blue flowers float above sword-shaped leaves in spring. Use this beautiful but tough plant to edge a shady garden or path. It is also an effective, slow moving ground cover that provides tremendous shelter for small animals.

Benefits:

Beautiful blue flowers in spring

Will grow in dry shade under hardwood trees

Spreads quickly and forms a dense ground cover in optimum growing conditions

Spreading rhizomes hold soil in place; great on slopes

Great cover for woodland wildlife

Homeowner Growing and Maintenance Tips

Grow in sun or light shade in dry to moderately moist well-drained soil.

If grown in full sun, the soil must be consistently moist.

Can be planted on well-drained slopes making a great ground cover.

Height 6-9 Inches

Spread 10-12 Inches

Native Range Rich wooded slopes and floodplains; Maryland to Oklahoma south to Georgia.

Native Trivia Plants in the iris family have tight-knit root systems that hold soil in place, especially on erosion-prone slopes.

USDA Hardiness Zone 4-8

"Dwarf Crested Iris likes dry shady areas just like chipmunks do!"

Characteristics & Attributes

Plan Sub Group • Low Perennials	Exposure • Shade • Filtered Shade	Soil Moisture Preference • Moist but well-drained • Moist • Dry	Attracts Wildlife • Mammals
Bloom Time • Early Spring • Late Spring / Early Summer	Habitat Collection • Dry Shade	Uses • Ground cover