BULBS > BEARDED - IRIS
IN THIS GUIDE
IRIS GUIDES
Bearded VarietiesContainer GrowingPlantingWinter Care
One of those flowering plant that postulate no introduction , Iris includes among its class a type that is a garden classic and favourite : Bearded Iris .
This rhizomatous industrial plant is remarkably fuss - free about soil , watering or anything else – though it is of import to get the basics right-hand .
The plant bears breathtakingly beautiful blooms that have a vertical orientation and do in an astounding range of hues , with many cultivars producing even multi - one-sided , patterned heyday .
Across our Iris guides , you ’ll notice we have sought advice fromSimon Dodsworth , the Founder of The English Iris Company .
“ grandiloquent Bearded Irises are striking flowers and really can avail lift the liquor , ” aver Simon .
“ They are also well-off to grow and bulk up well and , with a little TLC , will last for days and years . ”
Overview
PreferredFull Sun
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height0.5 – 1 M
Spread0.1 – 0.5 metre
Bloom TimeMay – June
PreferredClay , loam , sand
MoistureMoist but well - drained
pHNeutral / Alkaline
The Iris genus is classify under Family Iridaceae.1Iris x germanica . ( n.d . ) . North Carolina Plant Toolbox . retrieve March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/iris-x-germanica/
This family is one of those that carry superbia of place among the families of flowering plants because it let in – besides Iris – crocus , gladiolus , freesi , and even more flowering plants .
Like iris , many of these other genera include herbaceous perennials .
standardized to those genera , Iris bears long shoulder strap - like or blade - shaped leaves of a sea - light-green or bright light-green hue , sometimes with a blueish tinge .
These leaves grow in a ‘ fan - out ’ placement .
Iris species occur almost throughout Asia , Europe , and North America.2Iris × germanica . ( n.d . ) . Kew Royal Botanic Gardens . Retrieved March 13 , 2023 , fromhttps://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:438637-1
How To Grow Bearded Iris
Bearded iris by themselves , countenance alone other type of Irises , propose such a wealthiness of diversity in plant size , flower size , and floral colour ( and also blooming season and fragrance ) that you could develop them pretty much “ wherever you please ” – though there are some non - negotiables for healthy plant .
“ Importantly , iris diaphragm flower at a key fourth dimension in the horticulture calendar and fulfil the gap left between the last of the spring bulb and the first species of blush wine , ” explains Simon .
“ For this reason , they deserve a position in all our gardens . ”
Where you may or should implant Iris is limited only by your imagination .
A mass planting of mixed bearded Iris in a good - sized bed will provide a genuinely breathtaking vista of floral form with fantastic colour .
They are excellent choices for a assorted bed too provide you piece the right companion works .
As general guidelines , the taller variety with their big flowers are very desirable for the seat of beds while the shorter 1 are perfect for courtyard garden .
Intermediate - tallness Irises are usually consummate as familiar plant – intermediate and midget varieties are also swell for borders .
Reserve the visually arresting ace such as the taller mixture with near - black , high direct contrast , and graphic ‘ ego ’ – so to speak – efflorescence as specimen plant life to be institute in container and set by the doorway or on the veranda or the terrace .
It must be said that Bearded Iris is that rarefied plant that is almost as at home base in a formal garden as it isin a bungalow garden , thanks to the geometrical leaf pattern .
Bearded fleur-de-lis are most commonly – and very easily – grown from rootstock .
Though it can be an use in humoring and frustration to get Iris from come , there ’s absolutely nothing to produce Irises from rhizomes .
Rhizomes can be planted after they have started to germinate leaf and even push up peak stalks .
The advantage in doing so is that a tyro can easy tell which way of life to found the rhizome in a bed by simply assure that the leafage fan is directed away and outside from other iris or rhizomes with each one ’s ‘ olfactory organ ’ being aim inwards , or place the rhizome such that all are oriented in the same management .
When choosing a topographic point to plant your iris diaphragm rhizomes , Simon recommends a hot and sunny place in your garden – “ the hotter , the better . ”
He also highlight the grandness of planting your rhizomes in a growing mass medium that drains well .
“ ensure your soil is free draining . Bearded Irises are susceptible to rhizome rot and the best way of life to obviate this is to plant your iris diaphragm in a good coarse-grained premix .
“ flag will do well in clay grime but , again , it is essential to supply a peat - free compost and stacks of pea plant shake .
“ If the land is heavy , add a bed of brick rubble and coarse crushed rock to the base of the bed . ”
Mid to late summer is the complete season for planting rhizomatous Iris :
“ Plant your irises 23 - 30 cm apart in group of three per variety , with 46 centimetre spacing between each grouping , ” advise Simon .
“ take a mix of diversity that extend the bloom of youth menstruum , with a extract of early , mid and late flowering varieties . ”
The closer the rootstalk , the more spectacular the visual impingement but you will take to differentiate and fraction the rhizome within a couple of old age .
The further aside the rootstock are , the keen the number of years you could leave them be to naturalise but you will have obvious gaps between the industrial plant .
30 cm is a saucy compromise .
Now give the country of found a good soaking and firm up the soil on the sides of the rhizomes ( but not above them ) so that rhizomes and plants are admit in place .
Bearded Iris Care
Irises should be planted in full Lord’s Day . Leaving apart the plant , Iris rhizomes require sun and also good air circulation , as Master Horticulturist Peter Lickorish explicate :
“ The motivation for sun to reach the rhizome can not really be overdraw , in my opinion .
“ Because of this , planting in a dense , miscellaneous edge can be challenging , so I find planting in a bulb border of motley bulbs for different season can work well .
“ Iris rhizomes , along with many bulbs include tulip , require alike loose - enfeeble atmospheric condition and because bulb foliage is only seasonal , it does not cast dense , long - lasting specter over rhizomes .
“ To look extra great when constitute many rootstock , find the compass north end of the bed and plant the rhizome so their tips are facing this end , so each rhizome bakes on the south - front side .
“ I find they look very satisfying when they all face the same way of life . ”
A fertile , Lucius DuBignon Clay - free loam enrich with humous or compost is ideal for Irises .
No matter what the soil , it must drain very well – it is preferred for the grease to have some crushed rock or similar amendment that will aid in drainage .
dirt pH a mountain pass or two from 7.0 is perfect though anything from more or less Acidic to slimly Alkaline is o.k. .
Rhizomatous Irises are a little too often made out to be water - guzzling plants but in realness , in most domain of the UK , they will require only moderate or supplemental lachrymation .
Use a os meal feed when you engraft or choose for a seaweed provender if Fox are a problem , enounce Simon .
“ Feed them in spring and autumn . ”
Avoid feeding Irises with nitrogenous fertiliser .
An organic or liquid 5 - 10 - 10 or bare organic compost are idealistic for iris .
On a periodic basis , as and when necessary , the clumped - up rhizomes will want to be divided .
With the rhizome visible at the soil open , you will know when the rhizomes have become dense it ’s time to get down to business ; however , every four class is a good formula of ovolo .
The final stage of summertime is the right time for part rhizomes .
Do not part rhizomes when the soil and rhizomes are wet or dampish .
Large and recollective rhizomes may be divided with a acuate , sterilized knife .
Pruning & Deadheading
Spent flowers should be deadheaded .
In picky , be watchful for seed pod lest your garden gets seeded with Iris plants that will remain unproductive for a good few years .
“ Do not cut back the flowering spike after flowering , ” enounce Simon .
“ countenance it to pall back of course , then break it softly by placing your thumb at the floor of the flowering spiciness and press until you listen a ‘ gap ’ !
“ This secure a smooth break at the base of the plant life and prevents entry of water down a bring down flower spike . ”
You should not cut down back the leaf at this time as the foliage will continue to photosynthesise through fall , to bring forth energy which is shipped back to the rhizome for the following class ’s blossom .
However , you may sure trim unsightly bakshish and tatty leaves .
“ Good plant hygienics is all-important before the onset of winter , ” explain Simon .
“ In late Autumn or when the leaves have stopped growing , move out all old leaves from the base of the rootstock .
“ Then , I ’d recommend that you trim the leave back into a fan shape 10 - 15 centimeter marvellous and cut back any older or rotten rootstock . ”
As Simon suggest , as soon as the leaves have withered and brown they should be cut back .
Common Problems
“ Irises are drouth - tolerant and resistant to most pests and disease , but in later fall , check for slugs , ” Simon says .
“ Small black smorgasbord are specially troublesome . Apply non - toxic shot ‘ Ferrimax ’ or an appropriate combining weight if present . ”
Iris rock drill and soft rotting are the two other serious problems that can smite this rhizomatous plant , though this is not normally an issue here in the UK .
Soft rot is make by a bacteria which infects Iris rhizomes under favorable condition of climatic heat and dampness .
If some rootstalk exudes a fouled , decompose smell and is diffused to the touch , it is almost surely soft rot .
Other symptom are the central leaves first yellowing and wilt , sign of decay at their bases , and then the whole fan withering .
To address the problem , do as follows on a sunny , dry good morning .
Cut off the moved part of the rhizome and a small more besides with a sharp , sterilised tongue such that the persist rhizome displays healthy tissue and does not have any foul smell .
If the touch part is too large , the entire rhizome will have to be slay . Also scoop up all the nearby land .
softly surface the fresh - slue surface and butt on with garden sulphur ( and put some in the surrounding soil ) and leave the rhizome expose to the Dominicus for the integral day .
Other than these two decisive problems , iris diaphragm may be affected by a less serious problem namely aphids , and those garden nuisance , slugs and snail .
