Dwarf Iris 'Danfordiae' Bulbs – Fragrant Yellow Spring Bloomer

One of the earliest and most cheerful bulbs of the season, Dwarf Iris 'Danfordiae' (Iris danfordiae) bursts into bright, honey-yellow blooms in early spring, often while snow is still on the ground. Introduced from Turkey in 1876 and beloved ever since, this compact 3–6" iris is deer resistant, fragrant, and makes an excellent cut flower. Perfect for the front of borders, rock gardens, containers, and naturalizing in lawns.

Plant Details

• Color: Bright yellow
• Height: 3–6" (7.5–15 cm)
• Bloom Time: March – April (one of the earliest spring bloomers)
• Bulb Type: Bulb (Iridaceae)
• USDA Zones: 5–9
• Exposure: Full sun to part shade
• Fragrant: Yes
• Deer Resistant: Yes — also tolerates drought and black walnut
• Best Use: Rock gardens, front borders, containers, naturalizing, cut flowers

Planting Instructions

• Plant in fall for March–April blooms.
• Choose a full sun to part shade site with average, well-draining soil.
• Plant bulbs 3–4" deep and 3–4" apart.
• Important: Soil must dry out relatively in summer for bulbs to set buds for the following year. Avoid wet, heavy soil in summer.
• Bulbs may separate into offsets after bloom — plant shallow to encourage this, or deeper to reduce it.

After Bloom Care

• Allow foliage to die back naturally; do not cut it off prematurely.
• For consistent flowering year after year, supplement with new bulbs each fall or dig and divide offsets if flowering has noticeably declined.
• Alternatively, treat as an annual and plant fresh bulbs each fall for reliable color.