SPOTLIGHT ON...

ThE delicate blooms of winter-flowering irises certainly appear fragile. In fact, they look as though the slightest breath of wind would knock them flat and turn their petals to shreds. however, not a bit of it.

The Latin name of this winter-growing beauty used to be Iris stylosa.

So easy to say. So, well, stylish. Now it is burdened by the moniker Iris unguicularis, but that shouldn’t stop you growing it.

This is a plant that doesn’t need much in the way of care and attention.

Find it a spot in full sun at the foot of a south or west-facing wall and plant it with as little ceremony as possible.

Space three or four plants a foot apart if you can afford a larger clump. Water them in dry weather only until they are established (at this time of year they’ll not need even that), and then you can leave them to their own devices.

The flowers last a long time in vases – several days or more – and if you pick them just before the petals unfurl, you can watch them open indoors in an hour.

In summer, if you are a tidy sort, you can trim off the dead ends of any leaves.

What they love is lack of fuss and no disturbance, then they’ll reward you with a show of flowers each winter – just when you need a bit of cheering up.