Bearded Iris
Growing Bearded Iris:
Good bearded iris are almost effortless to grow. For old fashioned iris, as well as some of the newer hybrids, make sure to plant the flower bulbs in an area with good drainage. Old fashioned iris will endure droughts easily – but they do not tolerate soggy soil. They actually prefer dry soil in summer. You may plant bearded iris in late winter, summer or fall. They grow best in the south, but some have been adapted for more northern climates. Bearded iris make excellent summer bulbs and fall bulbs.
Choosing your Hybrid and Caring for your Bearded Irises:
With so many varieties of hybrids to choose from, it is best to check the directions or consult, if possible, a nurseryman in your area. The following instructions are general and should apply to most iris varieties. There are some hybrids, however, who do require different circumstances, more watering, fertilizing and care.
For ideal conditions, find a sunny, slightly elevated spot which drains water quickly. Loosen the soil to a depth of about 12 inches and work in some organic matter – compost, composed manure, sphagnum peat moss and/or shredded leaves. Rhizomes should be planted 12 to 15 inches apart, but DO NOT completely bury the rhizome. It is best if the top half of the rhizome shows at the top of the soil.
After pushing the soil firmly around the rhizome, water thoroughly. Do not cover the rhizome with mulch. The tops of the rhizome should be exposed to sunlight. After that, the “tried and true” irises get by on their own. It is not necessary to water them except when they are planted and during the period of active growth in the spring. Other than that, watering is optional. The plant may get brown tips on the foliage in the heat of August. If that is a problem for you, you can water them some, but it is not necessary since they adapt very well to hot, drought-like conditions.
When planted in fertile soil, they rarely need extra food. If you feel the need to feed them, just a small amount of organic, slow-release fertilizer, such as blood meal, bone meal or cottonseed meal sprinkled around the rhizomes after the flowers fade will be more than enough.
The History of Bearded Irises:
Bearded Iris: Regal Beauty in Rich Colors
It should be no surprise that the kings of France selected Bearded Iris (or, German Iris) as their emblem, the fleur-de-lis. The blossoms of this late spring/early summer flower possess a stately, classical beauty with their three “standards” (upright petals) and three “falls” (the pendulous ones). The English name, Bearded Iris, refers to the bristly hairs emerging from the flowers’ throats, but the flower is often referred to as the German Iris. These sun-loving, hardy perennials produce a succession of blooms on sturdy stems above bold, sword-shaped leaves. Some Bearded Iris have a sweet perfume, many rebloom.
Benefits of the Bearded Iris:
Bearded Irises combine ethereal beauty with a thoroughly practical, hard-working nature. The flower bulbs, which measure up to 6 inches across, come in every color of the spectrum except true red, including some of the subtlest, most exquisite shades of the garden. As long-lived perennials, Bearded Irises can take summertime drought and are hardy from Nebraska to Mississippi and Arizona, flourishing in any sunny spot and on a wide range of soils, as long as they are well drained. Bearded Irises are traditional highlights of the June perennial border but show up well in cottage plantings, too.
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