Growing and Caring for the Bearded Iris
By Brenda Hyde
Bearded irises are one of those flowers that are easy to share
with family and friends. Many of us remember our grandmothers
growing beds of irises, just as my mom does now. They tend to
multiply quickly and I've been fortunate to "inherit" purple and
yellow iris varieties from my mother and mother-in-law. They make
a beautiful cut flower and come in many different colors and heights.
The classifications are miniature dwarf, standard dwarf, intermediate,
miniature tall, border and tall.
They range in height from less than 8
inches to about 38 inches. The smaller varieties flower first, followed
by the medium height, and then the taller irises. There are also
reblooming irises available now, but let me warn you they are very
expensive. Though old fashioned bearded irises bloom only once
in the late spring and early summer, they are easy to incorporate
into your landscape. Plant clumps of dwarf varieties in rock gardens,
and the others work well in borders, cutting gardens or where space
allows, a sunny corner all to themselves!
They are easy to grow, but do have some quirky characteristics.
As I was writing and putting together my information I realized
my mother and grandma would no doubt be chuckling that I'm
going to so much trouble to explain how to grow something that
they just "threw in the soil" and grew year after year. But I
learned the hard way that sometimes that just doesn't work! A
little bit of planning and knowledge is a good thing, especially
when it comes to maintaining spring blooming flowers.
The rhizome of the iris isn't buried in the soil. It's a
homely looking long "bulb" with roots coming out the bottom
of it. The iris leaves and stalks come from one end of it. The
roots should be beneath the soil, but the rhizome should be
just covered to where you can actually see the very top of it.
It needs to be exposed to the sunlight. This was on of my
first lessons in irises. One way to plant is to work your bed,
dig a hole, then mound up a little pile of dirt. Set your rhizome
on top of this mound with the roots draped over the dirt, then
fill in the hole and cover the roots, leaving the top of the rhizome
exposed.. Irises cannot not tolerate wet or damp soil, especially
near the rhizomes which will rot or become diseased if kept
moist. Also, I found from experience that it's best to work your
soil well, and plant carefully, checking them the first few weeks
especially to make sure the squirrels, dogs etc. haven't knocked
them around or moved them. IF your rhizomes grow crooked them
your irises will be lopsided. They grow well in raised beds, so
consider that as well. Once they are established in the ground they
are fine, but watch those first couple of weeks.
Irises tend not to like compost or manure (unless you dig it in at
least 6 inches into the soil), but potash or a low nitrogen fertilizer
is fine if done in moderation and if it's kept from directly touching
the rhizome They shouldn't be mulched either. In other words, you
don't want anything touching or blocking that rhizome. Full sun is
best for location, but you may be able to get away with partial shade
in some cases. If they don't do well, then you can transplant them
after they have bloomed during the summer-July through August is
a good time to divide your irises too. Always use a knife to cut
apart the rhizomes-don't break or tear. The same goes for cutting the
blooms or leaves-cut crisply and cleanly. When planting new irises
or dividing always inspect your rhizomes. Discard any soft or rotted
looking ones, and watch for a nasty worm called a borer. These are
bad, and the rhizome should thrown away.
I hope all this information doesn't seem overwhelming. Irises are an
old fashioned flower that adds beauty and charm to our gardens
year after year, and they can easily be handed down to future
gardeners for their enjoyment. What more can we ask of a flower?
IRIS QUESTIONS
I have had bearded irises for years and this is the
first time I have noticed an odd growth on one of
them, looks like a small thin green pumpkin...what
is this and what do I do with it? ~Naida
Those are seed pods and you'll begin to notice after
they stop growing they will turn brown and start to
open at the top. Inside are the seeds of the iris. You
can either just cut them off now with the faded flowers
or leave a couple on and let them ripen. Try putting
them into pots as soon as they are brown and shiny.
Keep them outside and in the winter move them to a
more protected area. They'll need warmth then cold
to germinate properly. You can cover them with straw
in the coldest part of the winter for protection.
My Iris get leaf spot every year. Do you have any ideas
for them? I have sprayed them, but they seem to get it
again. I have a batch by the house which don't get them,
but other places on the property do? ~Ginny
I wonder if you don't need to move them from that soil.
From what I've found you need to remove ALL foliage
that is infected and burn it-- plus in mild climates you
may need to actually destroy the plants that have it
because it can continue to live in the soil. That would
explain why some of yours have it and others don't. I
would start by removing all of the foliage now--and
burning it--don't leave even a little piece on the ground.
Then see what happens next year and if they still have
it I'd try moving to a different location.
About the author:
Brenda Hyde is an avid gardener, freelance writer and
editor living in the Midwest with her husband and three
children.
Perennial & Landscaping Resources
Breck's: Bulbs & Plants
Spring Hill Nursery
Michigan Bulb
Henry Field's
Gurney's Seed & Nursery
Jackson & Perkins
Nature Hills Nursery
