Iris cristata 'Alba' (Dwarf Crested Iris)

Iris cristata 'Alba' is a cultivar of dwarf crested iris, noted for its pure, snowy-white flowers. Dwarf crested iris is a small, perennial wildflower that grows through much of the eastern United States in moist, full sun to part shade areas; in April, the plant produces relatively nowy white flowers with yellow accents, rather than the pale blues and purples of its parent species. These eye-catching spring flowers bloom atop very short stems among the plants' grassy foliage, resulting in consistently compact flowers only 3-6" tall in clusters up to about 1' wide. With thick, rhizomatic roots, Iris cristata can form dense colonies, which produce an impressive visual effect in the spring, and this effect is even more pronounced with 'Alba,' with flashy white flowers standing out among crisp greens in the spring.

Dwarf crested iris grows best in consistently moist but well-drained soils, and especially in acidic sandy loams, such as those naturally found in pine barrens, on sandy stream banks, or in wooded slopes. Like other dwarf irises, 'Alba' excels in partial to full shade, so woodland plantings, shaded beds, or seasonal groundcover in less sunny spots may work best. Flowers have high aesthetic value for gardeners, but are also attractive to pollinators including hummingbirds and native bees, and seed heads in the summer attracts native birds too! Iris cristata is additionally resistant to drought as well as deer and rabbit damage, making it an ideal pick for a variety of gardens.