Description
Iris EYE-ris
Bearded irises are among the most beautiful flowers a gardener can grow. Their late spring and early summer blooms are elegant and regal, their sweet fragrance is reminiscent of grape soda or root beer, and their ability to multiply rapidly has made them the ultimate “pass-along” plant. Bearded iris (sometimes known as German iris) grow from shallow, fleshy roots called rhizomes. Their distinctive flowers have upright petals called “standards” and cascading petals called “falls”. Running down the center of each fall is a “beard” that resembles a furry caterpillar. The leaves of bearded iris are flattened and sword-like, and the plants grow to varying heights.
Sun or Shade: Iris flower best in full sun and require a minimum of 6 hours of sun to produce a good show of flowers.
Zone: Bearded iris are winter hardy in zones 3-9.
Soil: Bearded iris prefer growing in neutral to slightly acidic soil that is loose and well-drained. Planting them in heavy, poorly drained soil can invite a number of disease problems.
When to Plant: The best time to plant bearded iris rhizomes is late summer or early fall when the plants are dormant. New plants should have at least 6 weeks to develop a strong root system before the first hard frost. Container-grown iris may be planted any time during the growing season.
