The Iris Garden Homepage

The Iris Garden was established in 1992 to provide iris enthusiasts with a source of “modern” cultivars, a remit we maintain to this day, although having said that, we also now offer a few “historic” varieties of not only Tall Bearded, Border, Intermediate and Standard Dwarf  iris, but also Siberian iris, as well as probably the largest selection of spurias available in the UK.

Some of the iris we grow are good enough to be entered into the RHS iris trials held at Wisley, where in the past they have been awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM). Some of these varieties are ALIZES, BRAVE NEW WORLD, HIGH ROLLER, PAUL BLACK, QUEEN’S CIRCLE, and THORNBIRD, (all TBs), BLUEBEARD’S GHOST (SDB), DESTINATION, EVENING DRESS, HICKORY LEAVES and SUNSET COLORS (all spurias).

In August 2007 The Iris Garden became the holder of the Bearded Space Age Iris Collection for Plant Heritage (NCCPG) and since then the entire collection of over 300 varieties has been replanted into dedicated beds, so if you are interested in Space Agers, then this is the place to see them.
We also collect “novelty” iris and have the only collection of 6-fall Tall Bearded iris in the UK, together with other items such as CLOSE SHAVE, (the only beardless Tall Bearded iris and,) and of course, Brad Kasperek’s colour break hybrids such as BABOON BOTTOM  and TIGER HONEY.

The Iris Garden is also a trial garden for the British Iris Society’s Dykes Medal (DM) and Award of Garden Commendation (AGC). Qualifying varieties are planted each year and grown on to be judged in their third year in trial.

Nowadays we only exhibit at Athelhampton House as part of the Plant Heritage Dorset Group’s plant sale, held on the first Sunday of May each year, but visitors are always welcome to the garden. Give us a call anytime from mid-May and we can advise you what is in bloom and the best time to visit. Unless you have GPS you will also need directions as we are very, VERY rural!

We hope to see you somewhere, sometime in the coming months, but if not, happy, and successful irising!