This group of bearded iris originate in the arid desert regions of the Middle East – Turkey, Syria, Iraq, Iran, Israel. Typically they have beautiful and exotic blooms with intricate markings, one bloom per stem. The seeds carry a conspicuous white aril, nearly as big as the seed itself.

Oncocyclus irises are particularly difficult to grow in temperate regions. They are dormant in summer and must be kept very dry. In winter too, they are semi dormant, and may rot in moist soil. In the garden they require sharp draining soil, and protection from rain except in the growing period in Autumn and early Spring. Replant every 2 years before regrowth commences in Autumn, as they are heavy feeders. Bloom time is early Spring.

Grown from seed, aril irises may take several years to germinate so patience is required, but healthy well grown plants should bloom 2 years from germination.

Iris susiana – The first to be introduced to Europe in the 16th century, and one of the easiest to grow. ‘Susan’ is the arabic word for iris. Not known in the wild as a species, but very similar to I. sofarana, and I. basaltica.

Large rounded creamy white standards are heavily veined and marked dark brown. Falls are shorter and very recurving, and almost solidly marked, with very dark velvety signal and beards.

Iris iberica – Globular overlapping standards and recurved falls, white, hevily veined purple-maroon. Long dark style arms almost cover the dark velvety signal.

Iris paradoxa – Large open upright purple standards. Reduced black, chevron striped and very recurved falls, almost covered by the style arms.

Iris lortetii – Extremely beautiful and very difficult to grow. Large wavy silky lilac-pink standards, and darker falls, rounded and recurved, heavily dotted with crimson.Soft brown beards and curving lilac-pink style arms.

Iris atropurpurea – dark toned and richly coloured purple-red, with chartreuse-green signal patch edged velvety black. Large black tipped yellow beards.

Iris sari – much easier to grow, but smaller and duller than the others.