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Iris suaveolens Boissier & Reuter, formerly called I. mellita, is a fascinating miniature iris falling well within the miniature dwarf class of under 20 cm (8 inches). Both the old and the new scientific epithets mean "sugary" or "honey" and refer to its sweet scent. Although sometimes said to be difficult, most authors agree that it prefers a rich, sharply-drained soil. Molly Price mentions in "The Iris Book" that she saw it happily growing in a child's sandbox.
Perhaps what first intrigued me about I. suaveolens was the red edge on the leaves of the form called I. rubromarginata. On finally obtaining a small piece, close scrutiny revealed no red edge. The rhizome, about the size of my little fingernail, was planted in a bed of sand. The following spring, the tiniest of falcate leaves arose, suffused throughout brilliant crimson. As the weather warmed, the red retreated to the edges of the leaves. As newer, larger leaves emerged, only an edge of red the width of a pencil line remained. Not being satisfied with its growth, I decided to remove the plant and try pot culture. On digging it, I was stunned! The leaves were only an inch high, but had produced quarter-inch, fleshy roots that extended a good eight inches into the sand. In the pot, in sandy loam and part shade, the plant appeared much happier. The leaves became about five inches long and entirely green. Transferred in the fall to a gritty loam bed, it bloomed the following spring.
W.R. Dykes wrote that the varieties of I. Germanica ‘Amas’ and ‘Kharput’ show a similar red edging to their leaves. Dykes considered I. Mellita the Balkan equivalent of I. Pumila because both have no flower stalk, but a long perianth tube. I. mellita was distinguished by its keeled as opposed to rounded spathes. Dykes implied that it was closely related to I. reichenbachii Heuff, which differs by having a flower stalk.
My small plant flowered a smoky red-purple color. Earl Roberts described 'Mellitas Dibiltas' (obtained from seed from Czechoslovakia) as having the clearest pale yellow form. The color of some forms seems hard to describe. 'Mellita Vandee' was collected and described by Schacht as Y2L (light yellow) with an olive cast and cinnamon stippling at base; white beard. Earl Roberts described it as having an olive cast, while Molly Price called it a honey-beige. Another registered variety is 'Vatican Petite', a purple self with glowing purple beards. Unfortunately these registered forms seem to have disappeared.
The form of the flower also intrigues me. The standards in 'Mellita Vandee' form a pointed cone which dominates the tucked falls. Along with the sickle-shaped leaves, this reminds me of certain aril irises. The photograph in Brian Mathew's "The Iris" (1981) seems quite different in having a more rounded appearance. I've noticed on my plant that the flower can change. The first day the falls may be flared, but by the second day they are neatly tucked. Nonetheless, I would like to find several clones to grow and observe. I would love to hear from other iris lovers who have firsthand experience with Iris suaveolens.
Reprinted from Dwarf Iris Society Newsletter, July, 1989
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