Iris pallida subsp. cengialti

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Iris pallida subsp. cengialti, also known as Iris cengialti, is a small iris from the Alps. It is a rhizomatous perennial native to northeast Italy (the Dolomites) and nearby Slovenia. It is commonly grown as an ornamental garden plant in temperate regions.

What it looks like:
- Growth form: creeping, clumping plant with a long, light-colored rhizome.
- Leaves: yellowish-green, glaucous, sword-shaped, 15–50 cm long and about 1.3 cm wide; they die back in winter.
- Stem and flowers: a green stem with a purple tinge rises above the leaves and bears 2–3 scented flowers (sometimes up to 6). Flowers appear in spring (April–June) and are 6–8 cm across. Colors range from violet and blue-violet to various shades of blue and pale purple.
- Flower structure: like other irises, each bloom has three large outer petals (falls) and three inner petals (standards). The falls have a short yellowish or white beard.

Where it grows:
- Habitat: rocky mountain slopes, scree, meadows, and dry grasslands on limestone soils.
- Altitude: about 200–1,600 meters above sea level.
- Regions: alpine areas of northeastern Italy (Trentino, Veneto) and parts of Slovenia (Bohinj, Istria).

Growing and care:
- Garden use: valued as an ornamental plant in temperate gardens; also good in rock gardens.
- Hardiness and soil: hardy to about 0°C; prefers well-drained, fertile soil and plenty of sun.
- Propagation: by division every 3–4 years; lift after flowering, divide the rhizomes, trim dead roots, and replant with fresh soil. Cut leaves back to half their length to reduce wind rock.

Notes:
- Taxonomy: previously described as Iris cengialti; now generally treated as Iris pallida subsp. cengialti. It is sometimes listed under the synonym Iris pallida subsp. cengialti.
- Other: the plant can be poisonous if eaten and may irritate the skin. In some regions, a form is referenced as vochinensis. It has a chromosome count of 2n = 24.