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Iris Plants

All about Iris Plants
From Planting Iris to Iris Care

The Iris is a very beautiful plant, and there are a lot of varieties available, in all sizes and colors, though they are actually only two real kinds, the Bearded Iris and the plain ones.

This does not mean that there is not variety in this plant – there is a considerable difference in sizes with miniature Irises that stand just about a foot tall, to much large traditional varieties that can be three times taller.

Growing Iris Plants

Iris Plants are relatively easy to cultivate, a perennial that rises from a rhizome. Place them in the ground at least a foot apart, and ensure that the upper most portion of the rhizome is above ground level.

Remember that Iris plants are not purely a shade plant, and will prosper in partial shade, and can even grow well in full sunlight.

Be careful about watering them too much though, as they have a tendency for the roots to rot if these plants are over watered.

Iris Plants only need water during a prolonged drought, as sometimes occurs in the middle of summer.

For the best possible blossoms a light fertilizer should be added about a month and a half before the flowering season.

Iris plants are best planted from late summer to autumn, or even later than that in southern climes.

Remember that if you live in a colder climate, you will need to put these plants into the ground well before the really cold weather begins, to give them a vitally needed chance to establish themselves. Without this, they rarely survive a harsh winter.

It is actually preferable not to mulch as sunshine is essential to the health of the rhizome. If you mulch at all, put in just a little.

Propagation Iris Plants

Iris Plants are propagated by division, and that must be done roughly every three years.

Division is best done in mid to late summer. Take up the rhizome, dividing it neatly and then transplant it where you wish.

Remember that this has to be done well before the cold weather sets in, firstly because the plant puts out new roots in cooler weather, and secondly because it needs to establish itself before winter.

Soil

Iris is a plant which enjoys sunlight. It also requires a very light ans loose soil covering.

This is crucially important, as the rhizome will not remain healthy unless it has access to sunlight and fresh air.

It must also not be allowed to rot in marshy soil. Keep the soil it grows in well drained.

Pests

Iris Plants are very hardy plants that can be stand the attacks of most pests, though they are susceptible to root borers.

This creature is a sort of caterpillar that feeds upon the rhizome. This causes areas of the rhizome to die.

As those areas die, they rot, and the rot spreads through the rhizome until the plant can no longer survive.

Other pests that attack the buds are easily dealt with, with a spray of soapy insecticide.

Iris Care

Iris Plants require very little care, though at the end of the flowering season, you could trim the flower stems while leaving the leaves in place to create food for the next seasons' blooms.

Summary

Iris are one of the most beautiful perennials you can plant in your garden. With so many color and sizes to choose. I know you have a space for a couple.

They'll get a good start before the trees leaf out for those of you who shade garden, and some are light shade tolerant.

You can start them from seed or rhizome divisions. Simply loosen the soil a couple of inches 4 or 5 will do.

Add some bone meal, then place the rhizome roots facing down about 3/4 covering the rhizome with soil as they like the top 1/4 exposed.

A prerequisite is a well drained soil. Root rot is the worst problem you can have with irises.

The taller varieties make great cut flowers.

Picture of Iris Flower

Iris - Alaskan Seas Scientific Name: Iris 'alaskan seas' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Alaskan Seas', Iris germanica, has icy blue standards with deep sea blue falls. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"", it is outstanding ... more	Iris - Blue and White Mixed Colors Scientific Name: Iris 'blue and white mix' Zone: 3-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Dutch Iris Blue and White Mix, Iris, is a very cool mixture! This new and exclusive blend of Dutch Iris was created only for Van Bourgondien. I... more
Iris - Blue Pearl Scientific Name: Iris 'blue pearl' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Dutch Iris 'Blue Pearl', Iris, has orchid-like 24"" tall flowers of deep blue. Use them for borders, containers, or rock gardens, and they also ... more	Iris - Bronze Dutch Blend Scientific Name: Iris 'dutch bronze blend' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Bronze Dutch Iris Blend, Iris Plants are a new mixture of the finest quality Dutch Iris in unique bronze tones, with purple highlights. This blend is ... more
Iris - Brown Lasso Scientific Name: Iris 'brown lasso' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Brown Lasso', Iris germanica, has orchid-lavender falls edged in brown with mustard- gold standards. Also known as ""Bearded Iris""... more	Iris - Buckwheat Scientific Name: Iris 'buckwheat' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Buckwheat', Iris germanica, has light yellow blossoms with a slight sweet fragrance. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"", it is outstand... more
Iris - Cantina Scientific Name: Iris 'cantina' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Cantina', Iris germanica, has a reddish violet with blue center, and has a grape fragrance. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"", it is ... more	Iris - Clarence Scientific Name: Iris 'clarence' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Clarence', Iris germanica, is cool and blue, and this Iris Plants are calming and quiet in the romantic garden. Also known as ""Bearded Iri... more
Iris - Crystal Halo Scientific Name: Iris 'crystal halo' Zone: 3-8 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Japanese Iris 'Crystal Halo', Iris ensata (kaempferi), is our newest Japanese Iris that is a fantastic angel; deep violet petals surrounded with ... more	Iris - Dutch - Mixed Colors Scientific Name: "Iris dutch ""Assorted Colors'" Zone: 6-9 Sun: Full Sun - Partial Sun "The Iris 'Mixed Colors', 'Iris hollandica', a fall planted bulb, are dutch iris bulbs in mixed colors that are excellent for cutting. The colors run ... more
Iris - Dwarf - Alida Scientific Name: Iris 'alida' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Full Shade "The Iris 'Alida', Iris reticulata , is a tiny Iris Plants that blooms in late winter and tolerates either sun or shade. Plant these pale blue irises at the ... more	Iris - Dwarf - Cantab Scientific Name: Iris 'dwarf cantab' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Dwarf Iris 'Cantab', this iris plants has vivid cobalt blue petals turning lighter at the center, with attractive yellow and white markings. Very easy to fo... more
Iris - Dwarf - Halkis Scientific Name: Iris 'halkis' Zone: 3-8 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Iris 'Halkis', Iris reticulata 'Halkis', is a tiny iris, and one of the truest blues available in the botanical world. In late winter 'Halkis' e... more	Iris - Dwarf - Mixed Colors Scientific Name: Iris reticulata 'Assorted Colors' Zone: 6-9 Sun: Full Sun - Partial Sun "The Dwarf Iris 'Mixed Colors', 'Iris reticulata', a fall planted bulb, is a dainty dwarf iris which originally came from such areas as Turkey and the... more
Iris - Dwarf - Rockgarden Scientific Name: Iris 'dwarf rockgarden' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The Dwarf Rockgarden Iris, Iris, is fragrant, low growing and early blooming. They multiply rapidly and are excellent for borders or rock gardens, un... more	Iris - Eye of the Tiger Scientific Name: Iris hollandica 'Eye of the Tiger' Zone: 6-9 Sun: Full Sun - Partial Sun "The Iris 'Eye of the Tiger', 'Iris hollandica', a fall planted bulb, has electric dark violet-purple flowers that are excellent for cutting. This is ... more
Iris - Fiery Temper Scientific Name: Iris 'fiery temper' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris ''Fiery Temper', Iris germanica, has rosy purple standards with deep wine red, almost black falls. Highlighted by the bright tangerin... more	Iris - Gusto Scientific Name: Iris 'gusto' Zone: 3-8 Sun: Full Sun "The Iris ensata 'Gusto', this iris plants has bold blue petals with bright white centers. These Japanese Irises are some of the earliest Irises to bloom in the ... more
Iris - Orange Harvest Scientific Name: Iris 'orange harvest' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Orange Harvest', Iris germanica, has deep purple standards with a white center and pale orange beard. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"... more	Iris - Painted Cloud Scientific Name: Iris 'painted cloud' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Painted Cloud', Iris germanica, has delicate pink with blush falls and an orange beard. Also known as "Bearded Iris", it is outst... more
Iris - Pass the Wine Scientific Name: Iris 'pass the wine' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Pass The Wine', Iris germanica, has richly peach pink standards, deep maroon falls edged in peach. Also known as "Bearded Iris",... more	Iris - Pink Attraction Scientific Name: Iris 'pink attraction' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris Pink Attraction, Iris germanica, has soft pink standards and falls with a light orange beard. Also known as "Bearded Iris", it is ... more
Iris - Poem of Ecstasy Scientific Name: Iris 'poem of ecstasy' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Poem of Ecstasy', Iris germanica, has peach-pink standards with smooth, deep, lavender falls. Also known as "Bearded Iris", it is... more	Iris - Rosalie Figge Scientific Name: Iris 'rosalie figge' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Rosalie Figge', Iris germanica, has slightly ruffled, deep violet-purple standards and falls. Also known as "Bearded Iris", it is... more
Iris - Rustler Scientific Name: Iris 'rustler' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Rustler', Iris germanica, has rust-amber standards with ruffled deep copper brown falls. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"", it is out... more	Iris - Secret Service Scientific Name: Iris 'secret service' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Secret Service', Iris germanica, has soft tans standards edged in rosy violet with eggplant black falls accented by a bright orange ... more
Iris - Tennison Ridge Scientific Name: Iris 'tennison ridge' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris Tennison Ridge, Iris germanica, has deep purple standards with a white center and a pale orange beard. Also known as "Bearded Iris"... more	Iris - Victoria Falls Scientific Name: Iris 'victoria falls' Zone: 4-10 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris, 'Victoria Falls', Iris germanica, has ruffled light blue self with white single patch. Also known as "Bearded Iris", it is outst... more
Iris - Wintry Sky Scientific Name: Iris 'wintry sky' Zone: 4-9 Sun: Full Sun to Partial Shade "The German Iris 'Wintry Sky', Iris germanica, this iris plants resembles a clear blue sky above mountains blanketed in fresh snow. Also known as ""Bearded Iris"", it... more