The regelia group of irises are closely related to the oncocyclus group and originate from Central Russia, east to Afghanistan and Asia. They grow on dry banks in mountain valleys.

Although easier to grow than the oncocylcus irises because they do not make winter growth, they are still quite difficult, requiring quite an alkaline soil, perfect drainage and a hot dry position in summer. They require more watering than the oncos, but still need to be kept dry during the dormant summer months.

Regelia irises grow from a fleshy or wiry rhizome, often with red skin. They are more or less stoloniferous, sending out long runners to produce new plants at a distance from the parent plant.

Blooms are distinguished by their rich exotic colours, and graceful narrow pointed petals. They are smaller than their oncocyclus relatives, but with generally more blooms and have 2 to 3 blooms per stem. The main distinguishing feature is the beard which appears on both the inside of the standards and the centre of falls. Pollen is bluish.

The Leaves generally exhibit purple colouration at the base. The seed has a large aril (hard white ring at one end of the seed coat),
and germination is generally slow and erratic.

Dutch plant breeders crossed Oncos and Regelias to produce beautiful hybrids which they named Regeliocyclus. Irises from all 3 groups were later crossed with TB’s to produce Arilbred varieties, which are more easily grown in home gardens.

I. korolkowii is the most commonly grown of this group growing 40 to 60cm. The rhizome is fleshy. Flowers vary from brownish purple to lavender to creamy white, with dark veining, and a dark signal patch. Flowers in Spring to early summer.

I. stolonifera is very vigorous, producing long stolons. It grows 30 to 60cm. Blooms are blended brown/blue/purple, often with metalic blue beards. Flowers mid summer.

I. hoogiana from central Asia is a light blue to lilac, self coloured with an almost metalic sheen, and smooth tailored form. Beards are yellow to bright
orange, and veining is lacking.

I. arenaria from Hungary, is a dwarf species 8cm tall with pale yellow horizontally flaring blooms.

Selected varieties have been named, as well as hybrids between the various species.

Regeliocyclus:

Named varieties include ‘Dardanus’ a popular variety introduced by Van Tubergen in 1962.

More recently ‘Byzantine Art’ a cross between I.korolkowii & I. iberica, was introduced in 2001 by L. Baumunk in the USA.