Dwarf Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' Bulbs – Intricate Early Spring Bloomer

A true miniature masterpiece, Dwarf Iris 'Katharine Hodgkin' produces intricately patterned flowers combining pale blue, white, purple, and flashes of yellow in a color combination unlike any other spring bulb. One of the earliest iris to bloom — appearing alongside species crocus — 'Katharine Hodgkin' is a tough, reliable, and no-fuss perennial that returns beautifully year after year. A must-have for rock gardens, front borders, and containers where the extraordinary detail of each bloom can be fully appreciated.

Plant Details

• Color: Pale blue, white, purple, and yellow — intricately patterned
• Flowering Period: Very early spring (with species crocus)
• Exposure: Full sun to partial shade
• Maintenance: Low — reliably re-flowers year after year
• Best Use: Rock gardens, front borders, containers, cutting gardens

Planting Instructions

• Plant in fall for very early spring blooms.
• Choose a sunny to partly shaded spot with well-draining soil that dries out at least partially in summer — this is key to reliable reblooming.
• Plant bulbs 3–4" deep and 3" apart in beds (cluster slightly closer in containers), pointed end up, roots down.
• Water well after planting to settle the soil.
• Leaves continue to grow taller after bloom, then disappear naturally later in the season.

After Bloom Care

• Allow foliage to die back naturally — do not cut it off early as it feeds the bulbs for next year.
• Reduce watering during summer dormancy.
• These are reliable little bulbs that require no special attention to re-flower year after year.