How to Grow and Care for Bearded Iris
| Common Name | Bearded iris |
| Botanical Name | Iris germanica |
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous, perennial |
| Mature Size | 12–40 in. tall, 1 –2 ft. wide |
How tall are iris plants?
They grow from 27 to 41 inches tall. And the spectacular flowers measure from 4 to 7 inches across. Unlike many other perennials, Irises are happy to bloom lavishly over a very wide area of North America. They are hardy into Canada, and are equally beautiful in gardens in places like Dallas, Texas, and even further south.
How tall is Iris key?
The iris is the source of the French national symbol, the fleur-de-lis. Average Size at Maturity: Moderate growing; forms clumps 2 ft. tall. Bloom Time: Spring: Design Ideas: These uniquely variegated leaves are a welcome alternative to traditional Iris in the cottage garden. Plant in the perennial border or as a neat edging.
How tall is Iris Hunter?
Tall Bearded Iris (Iris'Bargain Hunter') in the Irises Database Common names: Iris (1) Tall Bearded Iris Data specific to Irises (Edit) Hybridizer: Paul Black Year Of Registration: 2010 Year Of Introduction (May Differ From Registry): 2010 Seedling Number: N171AA Classification: Tall Bearded (TB) Registered Height: 39 inches (99 cm)
How tall is Iris Braydon?
Iris Braydon. Tall girl living in LA with roots in NYC & Philly. Closet singer w/ a 3-octave range, speed eater of sunflower seeds & proud parent of a hairless cat. www.irisbraydon.com. Posts Tagged.
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Where is the best place to plant irises?
full sunIrises will bloom best in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it's not ideal. Without enough light, they won't bloom well. Bearded irises must not be shaded out by other plants; many do best in a special bed on their own.
Do irises get bigger each year?
Thousands of cultivars have various wild species of European irises as their parents. After planting, a single rhizome will grow enough new rhizome branches that the plants need to be dug and divided every three to four years in late fall or early winter.
How tall and wide do irises get?
Irisgenus nameIrisplant typePerennialheight6 to 12 inches Under 6 inches 1 to 3 feet 3 to 8 feetwidth6 inches to 2 feetflower colorBlue Purple Green Orange White Pink Yellow7 more rows
Do irises come back every year?
Some gardeners prefer to treat them as annuals and plant fresh bulbs every fall but if the iris bulbs are happy in a sunny, well-drained spot, they will bloom for many years. Remove the blooms as they fade and the foliage will continue to grow through the summer, providing nutrition for next year's bloom.
Will irises spread?
Such plants also spread by rhizomes, and irises are no exception. While some rhizomatous plants, like bamboo, spread rapidly and even invasively, the iris spreads fairly gradually—one of its main virtues for gardeners. But, as iris rhizomes spread, they become crowded.
What side of the house should you plant irises?
While most iris require full sun to thrive and produce their beautiful flowers, there are a few species that you can grow in the shade under trees or on the north side of the house.
Do irises multiply?
Irises multiply fairly quickly and when the plants become overcrowded they produce fewer of their lovely blooms. It is very easy to divide iris plants to rejuvenate them, and for the best display, bearded irises should be divided every three to four years.
How many iris bulbs can you plant together?
When replanting a particular Iris that I have divided I like to plant three rhizomes together. That gives me a spectacular mass of blooms in Spring. What is this? Plant them with the pointy nose of the rhizomes facing each other in a circle.
Do irises like full sun or shade?
full sunMost iris species (bearded, Siberian, Japanese, etc.) perform best when grown in partial to full sun. However, the crested iris (Iris cristata) prefers partial shade. A native of the eastern United States, crested iris produces 4- to 6-inch-long leaves from woody, spindle-shaped rhizomes.
Should you deadhead irises?
Not all irises will produce multiple blooms, but bearded Iris varieties and reblooming irises can benefit from deadheading. The process will encourage further blooming throughout the season and make the plant look more attractive.
How do you keep iris blooming all summer?
Iris Growing Tips Follow these tips for the healthiest plants and best blooms: Plant them in a sunny spot in late summer. The plants need well-drained soil and at least six hours of sunlight per day. A full day of sun is even better to keep the rhizomes dry.
What month do iris bloom?
A number of bearded varieties bloom from early spring to early summer. Among beardless irises, many varieties in the Spuria subgroup bloom from late spring to midsummer. Some Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and Japanese iris (I. ensata) selections bloom from mid-spring to early summer.
How tall do iris plants grow?
Be sure to remove old blooms after flowering. The most common variety is bearded iris. This easy-to-grow iris range in height from 18 to 36 inches. Bearded iris also vary in bloom time and flower color. They grow best in well-drained soil in a full sun location.
How tall are iris?
Many types are long-lived perennials in Central Illinois. Iris range in height from 6-inch-tall dwarf crested iris to 5-feet-tall yellow flag iris. Flower color: The six-petaled flowers come in a rainbow ...
What are the problems with bearded iris?
Bearded iris do have a few problems including iris borer, bacterial infections including bacterial soft rot and fungal infections of the rhizomes, leaf spots. Imagine my disappointment last year when I noticed several of my iris plants looking rather frail.
How long does it take for a rhizome to divide?
About four to six weeks after they flower, divide by digging up the whole clump and remove the mother plant. Place the rhizome on a ridge of soil, placing the roots in the soil, but the rhizome just above soil level.
Where should I put iris in my garden?
Since iris have a short bloom period, consider adding iris in the middle of a perennial garden where later blooming plants can hide the iris foliage. Learn more about various species and cultivars of iris by visiting the Plant Finder from Missouri Botanical Garden. University of Illinois Extension is the flagship outreach effort ...
Can iris borers infest iris?
Iris borers are destructive and difficult to control. They can infest all types of iris. One may learn more about borers at University of Minnesota Extension .
How tall do iris plants get?
About Iris Flowers. The most commonly planted iris in the United States is the bearded iris. Height of the bearded iris plant ranges from 3 inches (7.5 cm.) for the shortest of dwarf iris flowers to 4 feet (1 m.) for the tallest of the tall bearded iris. Those iris plants in the intermediate group reach 1 to 2 feet (0.5 m.) in height.
When do iris flowers bloom?
Iris flowers begin blooming in late winter to early spring. A range of varieties provides extended color in the flower bed. Iris care is minimal once the growing iris is established. Iris plant care consists mainly of dividing the iris plants to assure continued blooms.
What is the color of the gamecock iris?
Louisiana ‘Black Gamecock’ iris of the Louisiana series is such a deep purple it almost appears black. Siberian iris flowers are more dainty, but also available in a plethora of colors. The ‘Butter and Sugar’ cultivar is a delicate yellow and white.
How to grow iris in a sunny spot?
Plant rhizomes of the iris in a sunny location with well-draining, rich soil for optimum flowering. Leave room for growth between the rhizomes and do not bury the entire rhizome. Make sure roots are covered, but allow the iris rhizome to remain partially above ground to avoid root rot.
When do Spuria iris bloom?
The Spuria iris, planted along with the Siberian iris, offers blooms later in the spring once the bearded iris bloom is finished. Many of the flowers are ruffled and include a draping set of three outer sepals called falls.
Do iris need water?
However, most clumps of iris provide flowers with no maintenance. Iris is drought-tolerant and may be part of a xeric garden; keep in mind, even drought-tolerant plants benefit from occasional watering.
How tall do bearded iris flowers get?
Bearded Iris bloom is in “late spring,” after the tulips and daffodils, and often with oriental poppies and peonies. There are six official classifications of Bearded Irises, based mostly on their heights, but the one everyone is interest in is called, not surprisingly, “Tall Bearded Irises.” They grow from 27 to 41 inches tall. And the spectacular flowers measure from 4 to 7 inches across.
Where do iris bloom?
Unlike many other perennials, Irises are happy to bloom lavishly over a very wide area of North America. They are hardy into Canada, and are equally beautiful in gardens in places like Dallas, Texas, and even further south. They are famously easy to grow, and are some of the most persistent perennials of all.
What are Japanese iris?
First, let's dispel the confusion that surrounds this group: Once they were known as Kaempferi Irises, today many call them "The Butterfly Irises", but the correct common name is simply " Japanese Iris ." In luscious colors of purple, pink, and endless bicolors, they have been cultivated in Japan for over 500 years, and were once restricted to enjoyment by royalty only. Though many think they are, they are not water dwellers. They require about the same conditions as ferns, astilbes or impatiens—just moist ground, which most all gardeners can easily provide. As you can see by the photos, these iris blooms are quite different from the tall "stand-up" flowers of the big Bearded Irises. With Japanese Irises, both sets of petals are more flat, forming a simpler, flatter—and many think more beautiful—flower. Japanese Irises form large lavish hardy clumps and are highly decorative. They're also great for cutting.
What is the iris used for?
Irises also have a medicinal history, the roots being used in preparation for medicines for skin infections, syphillis, dropsy and stomach problems.
Where are the tall bearded iris hybrids?
Today, there are thousands and thousands of Tall Bearded Iris hybrids, with new ones every year. Before World War II, most new hybrids came from Europe, but since, it has been an American passion. Today, the trade is led by the famous Shreiner's Iris Nursery in Oregon and others.
What is the iris on the French flag?
The iris was adapted on royal banners as the “Fleur de Lys”, the elegant, three-sectioned symbol that disappeared from the French flag with their Revolution, but is still quite common in the decorative arts. In fact, today it still proudly adorns the beautiful flag of the French-founded Province of Quebec in Canada.
Where are Louisiana iris from?
Louisiana Irises are the ones to watch when it comes to winter hardiness. Since they're from the Gulf Coast area , some are hardy only a few zones north. However, many of the most popular hybrids have been bred for hardiness all the way into Canada. So when you choose yours, check the hardiness of your favorites.
Iris Care
Different species of irises require slightly different methods of and timing for planting. Bulbous irises, which includes Dutch, Spanish, and reticulata irises, are planted in the fall in full sun in well-draining soil.
Iris Varieties
Yellow Iris: Also sometimes known as "flag," this variety of beardless iris is highly tolerant of moisture. It is an abundant spreader, which sometimes deters gardeners from planting it. However, it makes a great container flower variety and produces beautiful blooms and bright green foliage.
Propagating Irises
Irises spread underground through rhizomes or bulbs and will need to be divided every 3 to 5 years, creating the perfect opportunity to spread your irises to new landscaping areas. You will know when it is time to divide when you have fewer blooms or there are rhizomes popping out of the ground. Follow these basic steps to propagate iris plants:
How tall do iris plants grow?
Dusky Challenger: a very dark purple iris, growing to 39 inches tall and blooming in late mid-season. Thornbird: a beautiful yellow iris that grows to 37 inches and blooms in late mid-season.
How big is a bearded iris?
Botanical Name. Iris germanica. Common Name. Bearded iris. Plant Type. Hardy rhizomatous perennial. Mature Size. 12 to 40 inches tall, with a spread of 1 to 2 feet.
How to grow iris in pots?
Although it's not a common method, you can grow irises in pots that are at least 12 inches wide. Use a loose, soil-free potting mix, and leave the tops of the rhizomes exposed. Make sure not to overwater the plants. In colder climates, you may need to move the containers to sheltered locations for the winter to ensure the plants' survival. Irises in containers may need dividing and transplanting more frequently than those growing in the ground—about every other year or so.
What are the different types of bearded iris?
Within the broad category of the popular bearded iris group, there are also subcategories: tall bearded, intermediate bearded, short bearded, miniature bearded, and border bearded. The main distinguishing feature of these subcategories is their stature, although they also vary somewhat in bloom time.
How old is the iris?
A Very Old Genus of Plants. The great diversity of subtypes within the Iris genus owes to the fact that this plant evolved about 82 million years ago, which has given it time to diversify and adapt to different conditions.
Do iris need water?
Although irises like moisture, they also need good drainage to prevent rot problems. Water them when the top 2 inches of the soil feels dry. These plants have a good tolerance for drought.
Do irises have a drooping lobe?
Although all irises share sword-like leaves and flowers with six spreading or drooping lobes, there are groups that grow from creeping rhizomes while others grow from bulb structures;
What color are iris flowers?
When it blooms, the Iris's flowers are gorgeous, ranging in hue from the common purple shade to patterned white and yellow. Irises are among the easiest perennials to start and grow, so start planting today for long-lasting blooms. Steps.
Where do iris grow in the US?
Louisiana Iris: Native to the hot, humid southeastern United States. In spite of this, grows well in a wide variety of conditions. However, they will not bloom well if they receive less than an inch of water or so during hot growing season months. Beardless Iris: Native to Central and Southern Europe.
What pH should I plant irises in?
Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Irises prefer soils that are neutral to slightly acidic — a pH of about 6.8-7.0 is best. In addition, irises require soil with a good amount of aeration and drainage. This is important for preventing root rot, which irises can be susceptible to if over-watered.
How much sun do iris need?
Pick a spot with about six to eight hours of full sun per day . Most irises thrive if given generous amounts of sunlight. You won't necessarily want your iris to be in constant sun (though they can still do well in these situations), but they can usually stand more sun than similarly-sized flowers.
How far apart should I plant irises?
To prevent this, try to plant your irises' rhizomes at least one to two feet apart. Even with this preventative measure, after a few years, your irises may grow together anyway.
How often should I water irises?
Water generously after planting. After you plant your irises, give them a thorough watering. If conditions are dry, water every 7 to 10 days or as needed during the morning or evening. Assuming you planted your irises in the late summer or early fall, you may stop watering your plants as soon as the weather cools and it begins raining or snowing.
How to get water out of iris?
For heavy, clay-rich soils with bad drainage, try adding humus or organic matter to improve the permeability of the soil. Planting on a slope or in a raised flower bed can help with drainage — in these cases, water will naturally run away from the iris.