Iris Kathryn Hodgkin

This is flowering now in my raised bed. I have another bigger clump but they got eaten completely by snails! One of the best reticulata iris imo.

Georgeous picture! I have to agree that it is indeed one of the best reticulata. I've had this little iris on my want list for a while now. Perhaps I'll get some ordered and planted this fall.

Close up view - go on order them!

I do like this cultivar and grow it once in a while but find keeping them for more than a couple of years can be such a pain! I haven't grow it this year so thanks for the beautiful photos.

Oh the temptation! Great close up of the markings. Now that I'm done with the construction of the front rock garden I can add some of these and other minature bulbs. I just have to decide what other bulbs to add. I've been considering a variety of Calochortus and fritillaria so far.

With regards to Baa's comments, are these not as hardy as the more common varieties of I. reticulata? Or is their ability to be long lived or not more a matter of climate?

It's more my lack of proper care for them.

Nice of you to admit it Baa! I find this one is a very reliable bulb and it flowers no trouble every year and I have moved them round quite a bit.

No point in being dishonest about it, I just never seem to get it right for this cultivar. I'm quite happy to admit there are just some plants that will not do well for me regardless of what I do, perhaps it's something outside my control or am as yet unaware of. Either way it's fortunate there are other plants that will grow for me :)

Swings and roundabouts isn't it!