Dwarf Iris Society

Reading Room

The following classic articles on dwarf bearded irises are provided here in pdf format:

Some Early History of Dwarf Iris

Walter Welch, 1967

Use of Pumila in Iris Breeding

Bee Warburton, 1957

Chromosomes and the Miniature Dwarfs

Ben Hager, 1983

Walter Welch

Elsie Zuercher, 1963

Dwarf Iris Species

Walter Welch (DIS Beginners' Manual, c. 1965)

Iris chamaeiris [Iris lutescens]

Iris pumila

Iris attica

Iris pseudopumila

Iris mellita [Iris suaveolens]

Iris reichenbachii

Iris subbiflora

Iris arenaria [Iris humilis]


Video Presentations on Youtube:

The Smaller Bearded Irises and Their Companion Plants presentation by Kelly Norris to NARGS Piedmont Chapter, 2014

Dwarf Bearded Irises: The Three Types of MDBs narrated powerpoint presentation by Tom Waters, 2020

       AIS webinar #19 another presentation of the above (recording of a live presentaiton, with some Q&A)


The AIS blog features the following articles on dwarf bearded irises:

Iris pumila: A Tiny Treasure

Rebloom with the Dwarf Irises

The Earliest Irises: Welcoming Spring

Iris lutescens: The Dwarfs that Time Forgot

Dwarfs for Every Garden

What is a Dwarf Bearded Iris? (...and why are dwarf lovers so persistent?),

Hybridizing with Iris reichenbachii

Ben Hager's Master Plan to Save the MDB Class

Miniature Dwarf Bearded Irises: A Starter Kit

Understanding the Historic Dwarf Bearded (DB) Class

Using Species in MDB Breeding, Part 1: Iris lutescens

Using Species in MDB Breeding, Part 2: Iris aphylla X Iris pumila

Using Species in MDB Breeding, Part 3: Iris reichenbachii X Iris pumila



To explore the many MDB cultivars that have been introduced over the years, visit the MDB page at the AIS Iris Encyclopedia.


Photo Credit: El Hutchison, 'Bee Wings' (Brown, 1960)