Erythronium
Fifty years ago these true forest floor plants which flower early before the canopy forms, were to my mind, an exotic rarity, the only one generally available was the European native Erythronium dens-canis however the myriad of species and cultivars that have been introduced over the years has now made bulbs of this beautiful genus more accessible.
Unfortunately these are the only pictures I have and don’t do justice to these plants however there are plenty more to be seen on the web. Both are quite vigorous hybrids and are ideal for the average garden where they will perform well. There are a diverse range of species available to the more specialist grower some of which can lend themselves to pot culture in an alpine house such as E. hendersonii.
The common name Dog’s Tooth Violet comes from the shape of the bulbs which should be planted in an open soil which has plenty of humus, preferably incorporating leafmould if available, under deciduous trees or shrubs to give dappled shade. Erythroniums are found in both Europe and Asia but the largest influx has been from the USA where there are two distinct groups one from the east and the other from the west. they are members of the lily family and quite closely related to tulips.
Fritillaria
Fritillaria is a massive and complex genus with only a handful of species in general cultivation although there has been a significant number of hybrids introduced. Fritillaria meleagris (Snake’s head fritillary) is the best known being of European origin.
Fritillaria meleagris is basically a meadow plant and as such benefits from being allowed to naturalise however it can be grown in any rich moist but well drained soil preferably in dappled shade. I hate the term “moist but well drained” as it sounds like an oxymoron however it is difficult to think of other ways of describing it, basically think not waterlogged at any time! Some other species require exactly the opposite coming from much drier climes.
Fritillaria persica has become popular in recent years and can be found in most catalogues. A surprisingly hardy bulb it does need a well drained gritty soil and a position in full sun to do its best. The most popular and impressive specie that is widely grown is Fritillaria imperialis known as the crown imperial and its many varieties. They are big and showy but unfortunately I have no pictures as I have never really felt the urge to acquire it, perhaps a bit too rich for my taste!
A word of warning Fritillaria meleagris is a member of the lily family and the first place to spot lily beetle before it moves onto the lilies a little later in the year.
Iris
The Iris genus is both large and complex, there are about half a dozen sub-genera and some of these are further sub-divided into sections. I did study some botany but, for the sake of simplicity, I think in terms of four main groups, there are the early spring flowering dwarf types, the “Dutch” iris, the large bearded iris and the non-bearded iris which are the ones I have grown the most of.
The most popular irises that are known as Reticulate-bulbed bulbous irises are Iris danfordiae, Iris histrioides and Iris reticulata, and their many cultivars as shown above. They are all early flowering which adds to their appeal and also make good subjects for the alpine house. A sunny position in an open gritty soil suits them although I.reticulata is less fussy, as they die back during the summer, always try to be aware of where they are planted. The Juno irises also make good alpine house subjects and are extremely beautiful but not very widely grown as they are not easy. Juno irises are known as Smooth-bulbed bulbous irises and I can only assume that means that they don’t have the striations of the reticulate species.
My garden was very shady so I never grew the big showy bearded iris despite them being very popular because of the wide range of varieties available. Unfortunately they only grow well when the rhizomes, which sit on the surface, get a good baking during the summer months which just wasn’t possible. Likewise the bulbous iris known as Dutch Iris, which you see advertised in the catalogues, is principally a plant which is best container grown and doesn’t lend itself to shady borders. Growing a plant that you already know isn’t suited to your conditions can only lead to disappointment. Incidentally Dutch Iris (Iris hollandica cultivars) are used to supply the cut flower industry.
The irises that thrive in damp shady conditions come from Eastern Europe, China, Japan and even the UK.
Both of the above are Siberia or Sino-siberian irises, to anyone used to seeing the large bearded Iris they look like any fibrous-rooted plant but are in fact rhizomatous. Although I.chrysographes is very distinctive and the specie being found in the wild, the likes of Iris ‘Blauewiesmotte’ is one of many cultivars originating from such as I.sibirica whose origins could be lost in the mists of time. They all thrive in damp cool conditions in any reasonable soil.
My favourite iris is the Japanese Water Iris, Iris ensata (formerly I. kaempferi) it has very similar requirements to the Sino-siberians but, although it prefers more boggy conditions, I wouldn’t be inclined to use it as a pond marginal like our own Yellow Flag. The flowers are enormous and carried on sturdy stems on a fairly compact plant.
Finally one of our very own, along with Iris pseudacorus (Yellow Flag) the Stinking Iris, Iris foetidissima is one of the only two species to be found wild in the UK. A bit of a curiosity and not everyone’s cup of tea, I have never noticed the “stinking” bit, it sits in its own section of the iris taxonomy. Along with the others it likes a damp spot and although the flowers are fairly insignificant its crowning glory are the seed heads which are used in flower arrangements.
Just a little point, if you are tidying up iris plants when they have died back make sure to have a pair of scissors handy as the unsightly dead leaves cling tenaciously to the crown.
Next post a tulip bonanza.
A Plantsman's World 