Bearded Irises Provide Spring Color From Fall Plantings
Summer and fall are the times to plant bearded irises for spectacular spring blooms
A display of colorful bearded irises in a garden proclaims to all who see it that spring is here. To get this look in your garden, look for iris rhizomes to plant in late summer and fall. With the right conditions and some basic care, you’ll have blooms for years to come. Bearded irises are readily found in nurseries and garden centers beginning in late summer. If you’re looking for specialty growers, check out online and catalog sources, such as Schriener’s Iris Gardens.
Caution: Irises are toxic to people and pets. Some people also develop contact dermatitis when handling the rhizomes and plants.
Caution: Irises are toxic to people and pets. Some people also develop contact dermatitis when handling the rhizomes and plants.
When to plant: If you live in a region with a cold-winter climate, start planting iris rhizomes in July and August; with more moderate climates, you can begin to plant in August through October; for the warmest winter climates, wait until late October to put the rhizomes in the ground.
Distinguishing traits. Bearded irises get their name from their distinctive “beards” — the ruffled edges of their three lower petal-like sepals, or falls. These may droop or spread horizontally. The three upper true petals are generally upright or arching, although some also flare horizontally.
The bright green foliage is narrow and sword-like or grass-like, appearing before the flowers and dying back afterward. Variegated foliage has also begun to appear on some hybrids.
The bright green foliage is narrow and sword-like or grass-like, appearing before the flowers and dying back afterward. Variegated foliage has also begun to appear on some hybrids.
Bearded iris basics. Bearded irises are the irises you’re most likely to find in nurseries and garden centers. The wide array of colors is one reason that the iris lives up to its namesake, the Greek goddess of the rainbow. The choices seem almost endless, with every color offered except red and green.
Tall bearded irises are the showoffs, thanks to their flower-topped stems that can reach between 2 and 4 feet tall. They’re what most people think of when they hear the word iris.
Median irises include border bearded irises, intermediate bearded irises and miniature tall bearded irises. All of these are smaller than tall irises, growing only 8 to 28 inches tall. Even smaller are standard dwarf bearded irises, which top out at 8 to 15 inches tall, and the aptly named miniature dwarf bearded irises, which reach only 2 to 8 inches tall.
Included in the category of bearded irises are aril irises as well as arilbred irises. The flowers of the species are beautiful (the same can’t be said of the foliage), but they are demanding and difficult to grow. If you’re looking for something unusual, look for the hybrids of aril irises and bearded irises, especially those with at least half bearded iris in their ancestry.
Tall bearded irises are the showoffs, thanks to their flower-topped stems that can reach between 2 and 4 feet tall. They’re what most people think of when they hear the word iris.
Median irises include border bearded irises, intermediate bearded irises and miniature tall bearded irises. All of these are smaller than tall irises, growing only 8 to 28 inches tall. Even smaller are standard dwarf bearded irises, which top out at 8 to 15 inches tall, and the aptly named miniature dwarf bearded irises, which reach only 2 to 8 inches tall.
Included in the category of bearded irises are aril irises as well as arilbred irises. The flowers of the species are beautiful (the same can’t be said of the foliage), but they are demanding and difficult to grow. If you’re looking for something unusual, look for the hybrids of aril irises and bearded irises, especially those with at least half bearded iris in their ancestry.
How to use it. Plant irises in masses for a spring-blooming bed or tuck them in among other spring blooms. The smallest bearded irises can also be grown as edgings or in rock gardens.
The one drawback of irises is that their bloom period is short, while their foliage will linger. Placing them at the back of a border, especially if they’re tall, will help them fade away out of sight.
Where to plant. Bearded irises need full sun and soil with good drainage. In regions with the hottest summer climates, you can provide light afternoon shade. If you have clay soil, consider planting in a raised bed or creating hills, much like you would for vegetables, to give them the drainage they need.
How to plant. Set the rhizomes 1 foot to 3 feet apart just below the soil. Point the leafy part in the direction you want the plant to grow. If you’re planting on a slope, point the leafy part uphill.
Water thoroughly after planting. If the weather is hot, provide shade so the rhizomes won’t get scalded. In cold-winter areas, cover with mulch to protect the rhizomes.
Water thoroughly after planting. If the weather is hot, provide shade so the rhizomes won’t get scalded. In cold-winter areas, cover with mulch to protect the rhizomes.
Growing notes. Water sparingly after planting until the rhizomes set their roots. Then water regularly until winter rains start or the ground freezes. Resume watering when growth begins in late winter or spring. Provide regular water while the irises are growing and blooming, and then continue to provide water after the blooms fade for about six more weeks.
Once you stop watering regularly, just provide water about once every couple of weeks in warmer climates and once a month in cooler climates.
Once you stop watering regularly, just provide water about once every couple of weeks in warmer climates and once a month in cooler climates.
Feed with a neutral or low-nitrogen fertilizer once the plants begin to grow in spring and then again once they’ve finished blooming.
Remove old or dead leaves in fall. If leaves show signs of leaf spot, apply a fungicide. You will also need to watch for iris borers.
Remove old or dead leaves in fall. If leaves show signs of leaf spot, apply a fungicide. You will also need to watch for iris borers.
Divide crowded clumps every three to four years as their bloom quality fades. The best time to do this is the same time you would plant in your area. Lift up the clumps and save the newer, healthier, large rhizomes, discarding the older, leafless ones. Break or cut the rhizomes apart. Trim the leaves and roots so they’re about 6 inches long. Let the cuts heal for several hours before replanting. For best results, amend the soil with organic matter if you’re replanting in the same spot.
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Common names: Bearded iris, aril iris, arilbred iris
Origin: Southern Europe and the Mediterranean
Bloom season: Midspring, although remontant irises will rebloom in summer, fall or even winter
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 40 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 3 to 10; find your zone)
Water requirement: Regular when growing and blooming; reduce water after bloom and through the winter
Light requirement: Full sun when blooming; partial shade after bloom in hot climates
Bulb type: Rhizome
Benefits and tolerances: Relatively drought-tolerant and will rebloom yearly with little care; some may rebloom in the same year and many are fragrant; they are also generally free of pests and diseases