Katharine Hodgkin dwarf iris
Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin'. Family Iridaceae. Bulb.
Also called Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin', Katharine Hodgkin reticulated iris.
This small, bulbous iris flowers in late winter or early spring, producing pale blue flowers intricately marked with deeper blue veins and yellow patches. Grow it where you can see the markings close up: beside a path, in a raised bed or in a shallow container. It needs winter moisture, excellent drainage and relatively dry conditions while dormant in summer.
At a glance
- Sun
- Full sun; tolerates light shade beneath deciduous trees if it receives good light during winter and spring.
- Water
- Keep moderately moist during active growth, without waterlogging. Reduce watering as the leaves yellow and keep relatively dry during summer dormancy.
- Soil
- Well-drained, humus-enriched sandy or gritty soil, preferably neutral to slightly alkaline. Avoid heavy, persistently wet ground.
- Height
- 0.3-0.5 ft (0.1-0.15 m) in flower; leaves may reach 1 ft (0.3 m) afterward
- Spread
- 0.2-0.3 ft (0.05-0.1 m) per bulb, gradually forming wider clumps
- Flowers
- Late winter to early spring; pale blue to blue-green flowers with dark blue veining and yellow patches on the lower petals.
- Foliage
- Narrow, upright, grey-green leaves elongate after flowering and die back by summer.
- Growth
- Moderate; established bulbs gradually produce offsets.
- Care needed
- Low
The year at a glance
- Pollinators
- Deer resistant
- Low allergen
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flowers | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Toughness
- Fairly tough
Will it suit your garden?
Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.
Full sun is 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, part shade 3 to 6 hours, shade under 3.
How it grows
Planting day
0.4 ft (0.13 m)
full size
About 1 years to full size.
From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.
Good to know
- Cats and dogs
- Toxic
- Growth rate
- Moderate
Care
Jobs through the year
- WaterFeb–Mar, every 14 days
- Water established bulbs only if soil dries during growth; check new plantings more often.
- WaterApr–May, every 7 days
- Water only in dry spells while leaves are green; stop as foliage yellows.
- FeedFeb–Mar
- Apply a light bulb fertilizer dressing as growth begins, following label rates.
- PruneMay–Jun
- Remove foliage only when completely yellow and dry.
- DivideJul–Aug
- Separate crowded bulbs during summer dormancy and replant promptly.
- ProtectJan–Feb, Nov–Dec
- Clear smothering leaves and keep the planting area freely draining.
- ProtectFeb–Mar
- Inspect shoots and flowers for slugs and hand-pick where needed.
- Plant bulbs in autumn, about 3-4 in (8-10 cm) deep and 3 in (8 cm) apart.
- Water during active growth if rainfall is scarce; never leave pots standing in water.
- Apply a light bulb fertiliser as growth begins, following the label rate.
- Keep the planting site relatively dry after the foliage dies back; use a gritty, freely draining compost in pots.
- Lift and separate crowded clumps during summer dormancy, replanting promptly.
Pruning. Remove faded flowers if desired, but leave all green foliage to replenish the bulbs. Cut or gently pull away the leaves only when they have completely yellowed and dried.
Through the year
- Autumn
- Plant bulbs in a sunny, freely draining position; water them in.
- Winter
- Check that containers drain freely and clear fallen leaves that smother emerging shoots.
- Late winter
- Enjoy the flowers and water container plants if their compost begins to dry.
- Early spring
- Apply a light bulb fertiliser and keep the leaves growing without waterlogging.
- Late spring
- Allow foliage to yellow naturally and reduce watering as growth ends.
- Summer
- Keep dormant bulbs relatively dry; lift and divide crowded clumps if needed.
In the garden
- Plant small groups beside paths or steps so the intricate flower markings are easy to see.
- Use in raised alpine beds or rock gardens where drainage is sharp.
- Combine with snowdrops and early crocuses for a low late-winter display.
- Grow in shallow pots near a doorway, moving them out of sight after the leaves die back.
- Tuck into sunny gaps beneath deciduous shrubs, away from plants that need frequent summer watering.
Garden styles it suits: Alpine rock garden, Dry gravel garden, Cottage garden, Winter interest, Small-space and Blues and silvers.
Plant it with: Snowdrops, Early crocuses, Winter aconites, Dwarf daffodils, Creeping thyme and Alpine pinks.
Wildlife: Flowers can provide pollen and nectar for early-flying bees on mild days. Its small size and brief flowering season make it a supplementary rather than a major wildlife planting.
Problems to watch for
- Bulb rot in wet soil: improve drainage or move bulbs into a raised bed or gritty container mix; discard soft, rotting bulbs.
- Slugs and snails damaging shoots and flowers: inspect during damp evenings and use wildlife-conscious controls where necessary.
- Poor flowering in deep shade or crowded clumps: move to a sunnier position and divide during dormancy.
- Declining bulbs after foliage is cut early: leave leaves intact until fully yellow and feed lightly during active growth.
Safety
Toxic if eaten by people, cats, dogs and horses. All parts contain irritants, especially the bulbs; ingestion can cause drooling, vomiting, abdominal pain or diarrhoea. Sap may irritate skin. Keep bulbs away from children and animals, and seek medical or veterinary advice after ingestion.
Easily confused with
Harmony dwarf iris (Iris 'Harmony')
Has much stronger royal-blue flowers with a yellow-and-white signal, rather than the pale, finely veined blue-green colouring of 'Katharine Hodgkin'.
George dwarf iris (Iris histrioides 'George')
Has rich purple flowers with conspicuous yellow markings, not pale blue flowers covered in fine darker veins.
Winogradow's iris (Iris winogradowii)
One of this cultivar's parent species; its flowers are predominantly pale yellow rather than pale blue-green.
The name
Iris is named for the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and breeder E. B. Anderson named 'Katharine Hodgkin' after the wife of his friend, plantsman Eliot Hodgkin.
Propagation. Separate offsets from established clumps after the foliage has died back in summer. Replant promptly; small offsets may take several years to reach flowering size. Division preserves the cultivar, whereas seedlings will not reliably match it.
Checked against open data
- Accepted botanical name
- Iris
Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.
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