woodland wildflower
Dwarf crested iris
Iris cristata
1 of 2Native to the Southeast, the Midwest, and the Northeast
Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to eastern Oklahoma; Zones 5 to 7
- Light Part shade to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Moist Moisture preference
- Zones 6–8 Cold to heat range
- Bloom Apr–May Flowering time
- Height up to 16 in to 41 cm
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A woodland wildflower for part to full shade and evenly moist soil. Its white flowers peak in April. At up to 16 in, it tucks into shade gardens and woodland edges. Hardy in USDA zones 6–8.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
Hardiness zones
Find your zone:
When it blooms
The Dwarf crested iris's white flowers bloom April to May, peaking in April. This early-spring ephemeral draws bees and moths.
Dwarf crested iris blooms white, blue & purpleFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Golden Sweat Bee
- Moths honeysuckle bee hawkmoth
- Flower flies Margined Calligrapher
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WoodlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The Southeast, the Midwest, and the NortheastUnited States (18): AL, AR, DC, GA, IL, IN, KY, MD, MO, MS, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, VA, WV. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- Pennsylvania to Georgia, west to eastern Oklahoma; Zones 5 to 7The same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Part shade to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- MoistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 6–8The cold-to-heat climate range it survives.
- Soil
- Well-drained, rich, acid soilsThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to medium (sandy to loamy)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- Acid to neutralThe acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
Growth & form
- Height
- up to 16 in (to 41 cm)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~2 ft (0.5 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- ModerateA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- WildflowerWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- Apr–MayWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- White, Blue, PurpleThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- CapsuleThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.