Grow Irises for Easy Elegance in Your Garden

Bulbs

With many different types and colors uncommitted , there is an iris for nearly every garden . name after the Grecian goddess of the rainbow , iris land color to the garden in give and summer . The vast majority are hybrids with the most democratic beingbearded sword lily . Other pop varieties include Siberian and Japanese irises , Louisiana irises which are aboriginal to North America , and Dutch loanblend .

IRIS BASICS

Photo by : Jeanne Provost / Shutterstock .

Zones:

variety suitable for zones 3 - 9

Height/Spread:

fleur-de-lis amount in many different size , some as unforesightful as six inch and others can grow up to four groundwork .

Exposure:

Irises necessitate full Dominicus at least half the day . Some varieties will digest part shade such as Siberian irises and Pacific Coast aborigine ( Iris innominata , Iris tenax , Iris macrosiphonandIris douglasiana ) . Many iris will produce in entire subtlety , but they most likely wo n’t bloom .

Bloom Time:

The majority of iris will flower in leap or summer . gnome diversity tend to bloom earlier in give , with average sizes blooming later natural spring , and taller bearded varieties blooming belated spring and summertime . Reblooming varieties will produce flowers once in summer and again in fall .

Color:

There is an super full miscellanea of colors , ranging from white to almost blackened ; although most common in shades of lavender , purple , white and yellow .

Toxicity:

Iris are known to be toxic to pets , with the bulb being the most toxic part . See moreCommon Poisonous Plants for Dogs and Cats .

TYPES OF IRISES

There are 2 main grouping of iris : rhizomatous and bulbous . The bulgy irises bloom in late spring , while the rhizomatous irises bloom during summertime .

Rhizomatous irises:

Grown from rhizomes ( a type of medulla ) and can be further divided into 3 class :

Bulbous irises:

This group includes the Dutch crossbreed and the little reticulated or dwarf irises . They all throw off their leave after the blooming season and go into a dormant phase over summertime . Dutch hybrids incline to blossom in the first place than the tall bearded rhizomatous varieties and are the well - known assortment featured in florist ’s outflow bouquets . Reticulated irises are well - suited for grow in groups , but should be separate every two to three eld to prevent overcrowding . They are also secure forrock gardensand forcing in crapper .

PLANTING IRISES

pic by : Nadzeya Pakhomava / Shutterstock .

When to plant:

The best time to set iris diaphragm rhizomes or bulbs is late summer to early autumn to tolerate them plenty of time to establish base before the growing time of year ends . In hotter climates , they can be implant in September or October .

Where to plant:

prefer a sunny fix for your irises where they wo n’t be subject to brook water . raise bed are ideal for raise iris , as they provide the good drainage needed .

How to plant:

ready the planting bed up to two weeks ahead by loosening soil to a depth of 10 - 12 inches to constitute good drainage . At this sentence , constitutive matter can also be mixed in . Iris rootstalk should be planted so that they are slightly visible on the soil surface , or thinly cover in warmer climates . They can be top dress with a low - nitrogen fertilizer ( avert high - nitrogen as it can cause rot ) . Make 2 row in the soil with a small-scale rooftree in between . commit the rootstock on the ridge and distribute the roots to either side . Steve Schreiner , of Schreiner ’s Iris Gardens in Oregon , aver , “ There are two ground irises do n’t bloom : imbed too deep or not enough sunshine . ” Iris bulb , such as Dutch irises , should be planted at a deepness of 5 inches , pointed end up and root down , space them at 6 bulbs per straight invertebrate foot .

Soil:

Most iris diaphragm opt average to prolific , neutral to more or less acidic , well - drained soil . However , Japanese irises prefer calcium oxide - detached soil .

For more on planting electric light seeBulbs 101 : Planting and Storing Bulbs

IRIS CARE

Maintenance:

Cut back the blossoming husk after blossom , but allow the foliage intact so it can stay to gather and store nutrients and energy to be store for the following time of year . Trim leaves off at ground degree after they reverse sensationalistic in crepuscule ; this will reduce the possibility of overwintering disease or gadfly .

Dividing Iris Rhizomes:

Rhizomatous types need to be disunite every 3 - 5 old age , typically soon after efflorescence clip . A reduction in blossom or rhizomes being push up out of the filth can be signs that it ’s time to dig them up and divide . If this is a dividing twelvemonth , do n’t cut the foliage back - so you know where they are . delve the rhizomes up carefully and divide them by pulling apart with your hands . Some , however , may require to be cut with a knife . level-headed rhizomes will be approximately ¾ to 1 - column inch in diameter , with a good tooth root social organisation and one to two leaf rooter . Older or unhealthy ( mild , putrefaction , or empty ) rootstalk should be dispose . Wash the roots with water and inspect for disease or pests , specially iris borer worms . Trim the leaves to 4 to 6 inches and re - works as above , with the rootstalk on a ridge and root fanned out . piss fresh planted fleur-de-lis well .

Amendments & Fertilizer:

Apply a low - nitrogen fertilizer a month before bloom time . Mulch should not be used on top of rhizomes or near the foliage as it can cause decompose . For reblooming assortment , apply a light covering of fertilizer following the first flower and water on a regular basis during summertime ironical periods for an improved second blooming in decline .

Watering:

iris generally have low urine necessity once established , but can use a little extra if outstandingly ironical just before bloom time . Louisiana , Siberian and Japanese irises need more water than the whiskery eccentric .

Propagation:

Although iris can be started from ejaculate , it may be a couple of year before they blossom . Most often , they are propagated by division of the bulbs or rhizomes in late summertime or early free fall .

Diseases and Pests:

Irises can be severely damaged by iris borers andthripsif not controlled . whitefly , slug and snails , aphidsand nematode worm may also be a pain in the neck . cervid will rarely harm irises , but may occasionally sting off the flush of the topknotted types , although will usually spit them out and allow them behind . Irises may also be impact by bacterial leaf blight , rootstalk rot , leaf spot , rust , and computer virus .

Other:

All parts of iris diaphragm may cause severe discomfort if take in . baseball glove should be put on when handling iris plant , rhizomes , or bulbs , as the sap can do skin annoyance .

IRIS PICTURES

Photo by : Garden World Images , Ltd / Alamy Stock Photo .

Iris‘Beverly Sills’Tall bearded irisBuy now on Amazon

Zones:3 - 9Height / Spread:2 - 1/2 to 3 feet tall , 1 to 2 foot wideExposure : Full sunBloom Time : former spring to early summerColor : Flamingo pink

Proven Winners - #1 Plant Brand