Bearded iris, Iris germanica, or German Iris, is a hardy, long-lived perennial that require a minimum of maintenance. The flowers have six petals; three upright petals (called standards) and three hanging petals (called falls). A fuzzy line or beard runs down the middle of each fall. Flowers come in many colors including blue, pink, purple, reddish, white, yellow, and bi-colors. Most bearded iris flower bulbs bloom in the spring (April to June depending on cultivar), but some of the new flower bulbs re-flower in the summer and fall. The second flower display is not as showy as the spring display but last into the fall. Many re-blooming iris are fragrant.
Bearded irises are classified into several types: miniature dwarf (height 8 inch or less, 1 to 2 inch diameter flowers), standard dwarf (height 8 to 15 inches), intermediate (height 16 to 27 inches), miniature tall (height 16 to 25 inches, small flowers), border (height 16 to 27 inches), and tall (height 28 to 38 inches). The shorter iris flower first, followed by the intermediate, and then the taller irises.
The Bearded Iris spreads from rhizomes and this is what many people share with their neighbors. Iris bulbs are best moved in the fall. But one must remember to mark them in the spring so the colorful blooming flower bulbs can be identified. Cut a notch in the leaf to mark color for fall planting.
While moving or dividing iris bulbs look for borer damage and discard infected rhizomes. If for some reason it is necessary to move your bearded irises in the spring. Be sure to leave the foliage on them to help root reserves for plant survival and next year’s flowering.
Irises should be divided every 4 to 5 years to keep the plants healthy and flowering vigorously. Flowering seems to increase when plants are given space to grow so plant them about 18 inches apart.
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