Despite the wind and rain, this tough little iris has been flowering since Christmas.

It’s now got some snowdrops and crocus nearby as companions, but it’s still pushing up spears of buds that are tightly rolled one day and in full bloom the next. They can be picked in bud and brought indoors to watch their delicate, silky petals unfurl in warm surroundings. They are also sweetly scented and will probably flower for another month.

Known as the Algerian iris, this little beauty thrives in hot, dry spots. It can be found throughout north Africa and in parts of Greece. Surprisingly, it also likes my Didsbury garden. My clump is at the base of a fence next to the trunk of a trained apple tree where it is neglected all year round. In fact, the more you leave this plant alone to build up the size of its clump, the more it flowers. It always looks a little unkempt as it hangs on to its old foliage. I just give it a quick tidy in the spring then leave it well alone.

The narrow leaves are about 30cm long and the flowers nestle amongst them. I think mine is the named type ‘Mary Barnard’ as its flowers are quite dark and the leaves neater. I’m uncertain because I acquired my plant from a skip years ago. An old glasshouse was being taken down and the clumps dug out from the base of the wall. The gardener said he had too much of it and asked me to help myself. I had to wait a couple of years for it to flower, but it was worth it.