Dwarf irises abound in the Chicago Botanic Garden in the early days of spring, and none are as spectacular as the 'Katharine Hodgkin' iris. The ethereal powder blue of this 4- to 8-inch-tall hybrid of Iris winogradowii and Iris histrioides is beautifully etched with darker blue to sea green markings with a splash of lemon yellow on the "falls"—the three lower petals of the iris flower that may either hang down or flare out.

'Katharine Hodgkin' iris is a wonderful specimen for rock gardens, borders, pathside plantings, and places where deer like to nibble (it's deer resistant). Plant this iris during the fall in full sun to partial shade. This dwarf iris thrives in neutral to alkaline soil, but like most bulbs, it requires good drainage.