There are about 250 species of the iris, a gorgeous floral plant that blooms in the spring. As a result of its numerous hues, it was given the Greek term rainbow as its name. Abuse-tolerant, drought-resistant, and hardy throughout the northern hemisphere are only some of the characteristics of northern plants.
The iris, named after the Greek goddess of rainbows, is a majestic flower that comes in an array of vibrant hues. This June blooming is tough, dependable, and simple to grow, despite its divine roots. You’ll find out everything you need to know about iris flowers, from how to plant them to how to maintain them.
What do you know about iris?
Iris is a genus with about 300 species. Tall bearded irises (Iris germanica) are the most well-known iris and can grow to a height of 2 to 3 feet.
There are three petals on the outside that droop down and three on the inside that stand upright, giving these blooms their distinctive six-petal appearance.
Bearded or crested irises are two types of irises. The name “bearded iris” comes from the silky hairs that cover the core of the flower’s stem. It is the hairs on the plant that make the “comb” or “ridge” in the crested kind of iris.
Most irises bloom in the spring. Retiring plants, such as bearded hybrids, are a common occurrence in the wild.
Butterfly and hummingbirds love to perch on irises, and they make beautiful cut flowers. Look to roses, peonies, and lilies for iris garden partners.
Unlike other perennials, irises grow from a bulb that produces rhizomes that penetrate the ground and provide nutrients for the plant. The long, upright stem bears flowers that are both solidly colored and variegated. One or more six-lobed symmetrical petals with an erect central part form a fan-shaped flower.
It is common to see irises in botanical gardens all around the world. Whether cultivated in pots for indoor or outdoor use or collected as cut flowers, they are as attractive. Spring is the most common time for flowers to bloom, although some can bloom as early as February or March or as late as August if conditions are right.
What You Need to Know About Iris Planting
There are about 250 species of the iris, a gorgeous floral plant that blooms in the spring. As a result of its numerous hues, it was given the Greek term rainbow as its name. Abuse-tolerant, drought-resistant, and hardy throughout the northern hemisphere are only some of the characteristics of northern plants.
Description
Unlike other perennials, irises grow from a bulb that produces rhizomes that penetrate the ground and provide nutrients for the plant. The long, upright stem bears flowers that are both solidly colored and variegated. One or more six-lobed symmetrical petals with an erect central part form a fan-shaped flower.
It is common to see irises in botanical gardens all around the world. Whether cultivated in pots for indoor or outdoor use or collected as cut flowers, they are as attractive. Spring is the most common time for flowers to bloom, although some can bloom as early as February or March or as late as August if conditions are right.
Planting
For spring flowers, iris bulbs should be planted in the fall. Blooms need at least half a day of direct sunlight for the greatest outcomes, but the colors will be more brilliant if they get the complete day. At all times, the soil should be well-drained. Cut off the flowering stems when the plants have finished blooming, so that only the leaves remain. This will provide the plants with the nutrients they need during their dormant season.
- The dirt in your garden should be dug up. depth of 6-8 inches
- Fill the hole with one cup of well-rotted compost.
- The leaves should be facing up, and the roots should be facing down. Rhizomes that are planted more than one inch deep will decay.
- Soil should be added such that the top one-third of the rhizome is visible before it is covered.
- After planting, water thoroughly.
- Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer (5 percent nitrogen, 10 percent phosphorus, 15 percent potassium)
What Time of Year Should I Plant Irises?
The best time to plant irises is in the late summer or early fall when the nightly temperature is at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. As a result, they’ll have plenty of time to set up shop before the upcoming winter months. As a rule of thumb, the tall bearded iris cultivars should be planted in the fall rather than in the spring since they go into hibernation in the spring.
Go ahead and plant bare rhizomes or irises that you received in a pot earlier in the year. It’s better to plant them now than to put them off till a more favorable season comes around.
Choosing and Preparing a Site for Planting
Irises thrive in full sunlight. As little as half a day in the sun is fine for them, but it’s not the ideal amount of time. They won’t bloom if there isn’t enough light.
In order for bearded irises to thrive, they must not be smothered by other plants.
Soil that is well-drained, but not overly acidic, is ideal for them. Find out more about organic soil amendments and how to prepare the soil for planting.
Having good drainage is critical throughout the year, as iris enjoy “wet feet, but dry knees” for their optimal growth. In the winter, they cannot survive in soil that is too damp.
Till or garden fork the soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then add a compost layer of 2 to 4 inches.
Irises: How to Plant Them
Plant the rhizome horizontally with the top exposed when using bare-root irises. The rhizome should be planted just below the surface of the soil if you live in a hot area.
Rhizomes can be planted individually or in groups of three, with a spacing of 1 to 2 feet, depending on their size.
Make a shallow hole with a diameter of 10 inches and a depth of 4 inches. Place the rhizome on the ridge and let it stretch its roots out on both sides of the ridge. Make sure to leave a portion of the rhizome and some of the leaf exposed by filling the hole with soil and compacting it gently.
Planting irises too deeply is a common mistake. If you live in a hot area, leave the rhizomes of these plants partially exposed to the weather or lightly covered with soil. Too much dirt on them will doom their chances of survival.
Mulching might cause rot around the rhizome, therefore avoid doing so.
Drain the excess water.
Iris Care Instructions
In the spring, apply an all-purpose fertilizer to the plants by scratching it into the soil. It’s best to avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers on the surface or mulching with organic materials, which might lead to rhizome rot. Fertilizing reblooming irises again after the first wave of flowering is ideal for their performance.
Irises should not be overwatered since the roots will rot if the soil is too wet. During the summer months, be sure to water thoroughly and frequently.
Do not cover up the rhizomes Iris rhizomes, unlike bulbs, need a bit of sunlight and air to dry out. They’ll rot if they’re buried under dirt or surrounded by other plants. In the spring, irises may benefit from a little layer of mulch.
Staking may be necessary for taller irises because they are more likely to topple over.
Keep an eye out for borers in the irises’ foliage (dark vertical lines that may appear watery show up in the leaves). Below you’ll find some helpful hints for dealing with pests.
Regular deadheading will encourage Bearded Irises to bloom in succession on buds spaced along the stems.
After the flowers have stopped flowering, cut the stems at their base, but do not clip the irises’ leaves. Carbon dioxide from the air passes through a process known as photosynthesis, which produces energy for future growth. To prevent rot, trim the flowering stalk to the rhizome and remove any brown tips.
The fall is a good time to take a good hard look at your foliage and remove anything that appears spotty or yellowed. Then, take everything out to the garbage once it has been trimmed back firmly.
Remove and destroy iris leaf if it has been severely frost-damaged in order to eliminate borer eggs. Check the dates of the first and last frost in your area.
Protect your Forsythia’s rhizomes over winter by covering them with an inch or two of fine sand and a layer of evergreen boughs, which may be taken off in spring.
Remove winter mulch and any old leaves in the spring to encourage new growth and prevent Iris borers.
Iris Dividing Iris
Iris plantings can get overcrowded over time, causing the rhizomes to lose energy and stop blooming. This is not uncommon. Divide and replant healthy rhizomes in new soil whenever this occurs (typically every two to five years).
When is the right time to divide? Trim back the leaves to six inches once the flowers have faded.
Dig up the cluster of the iris as soon as they bloom (about mid-summer). Several more rhizomes sprouted from the initial “mother” rhizome you planted.
The mother should be removed with a sharp knife so that the rhizomes can be planted elsewhere.
Remove and remove any infected or unhealthy rhizomes that show symptoms of decaying tissue or other illness.
In order to help the plants grow, cut back the irises’ foliage to 3 to 5 inches in height.
Make a new bed, replant them where they were before (after adding new soil), or share them with friends and spread the joy of irises!
Tips for Buying
- Choose rhizomes that are around the same size and have long, stringy roots.
- Rhizomes that are soft or have mold or mildew growing on them should be avoided.
- Best results are achieved if you plant bulbs within three days of purchasing them
Pests/Diseases
Deer and drought-resistant irises make them ideal for gardens.
They are, however, vulnerable to the dreadful Iris Borer, which overwinters as eggs in discarded leaves and can be devastating. Look for these bugs and eliminate them if you notice leaf streaking. You should dig out the rhizome if you notice any indications of decay.
Whiteflies, thrips, slugs and snails, aphids, and nematodes may also be a problem.
Types of Plants to Consider
- The extravagant colors of the tall bearded iris species add a burst of color to the June garden. They blossom in June and are typically only planted in the fall.
- ‘Immortality,’ a tall bearded Reblooming Iris, blooms in June and again in late summer with pure white blooms. Zone 4 hardiness is required.
- ‘Feed Back’, a dark purple; ‘Earl of Essex’, also purple; and ‘I Do’, with white flowers, are all hardy to Zone 4.
- ‘Jennifer Rebecca,’ a mauve pink beauty, is a good choice if you live in Zone 5 or warmer.
- I. sibirica, the Siberian Iris, is available in a variety of hues as well. Although more fragile in appearance than majestic bearded irises, they possess the same toughness.
- The Japanese Iris, I. ensata, has large, flat blooms that resemble tropical birds and thrives around ponds, making it an ideal plant for water gardens.
Care
Remove and divide older rhizomes in late summer to avoid overcrowding. After removing the woody growth, replant the area.
Trim rhizomes to a distance of 4-5 inches in the fall. Dead or shriveled leaves should be removed. Iris bulbs should be replaced with brand new ones before you begin planting.
Mulch with straw before the snow falls in colder climates. Remove mulch from the ground as soon as the weather warms. Grass cuttings should not be used as mulch. They are readily compacted, resulting in decay.
Wisdom and Humor
The fleur-de-lis is a symbol of France and Florence, Italy, and features an iris.
Teething newborns were urged to nibble on a “finger” of the dry root, which contains naturally occurring fluoride, extracted from the dried roots of Iris ‘Florentia.’ Oral root was thought to be a remedy for blood and lung illnesses.
