Bearded irises, sometimes called German irises or reblooming irises, are one of the few perennials or bulbs that are best planted in August. Unlike many plants, bearded irises aren’t fazed by the hot, sunny weather of late summer. So if you don’t have stately irises in your garden or you want to increase your collection, now is the time to plant!
Flowers in a Rainbow of Colors
In Greek mythology, Iris was the goddess of the rainbow — she was revered for her role in bringing rainfall to farmland. True to their namesake, bearded irises are available in a rainbow of colors, including intriguing multi-colored varieties, so there’s surely a variety whose flowers will complement your other perennials. Plus, the tall, sword-shaped leaves add a dose of drama when combined with plants with shrubby shapes like peonies or small shrubs like spireas.
Here are just a handful of bearded iris varieties to give you a sense of the range of colors available:
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Wine Red: Bearded Iris Gypsy Romance |
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Orange: Reblooming Bearded Iris Orange Harvest |
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Yellow: Reblooming Bearded Iris Harvest of Memories |
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Blue: Reblooming Bearded Iris Sugar Blues |
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White: Reblooming Bearded Iris Immortality |
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Almost Black: Bearded Iris Night Ruler |
Planting Bearded Irises
Bearded irises are easy, reliable, and long-lived, as long as you site them properly. Choose a spot in full sun with well-drained soil. The plants grow from rhizomes (fleshy roots) and the roots will rot if the soil they’re in remains saturated for prolong periods. If you’re in doubt about your soil’s drainage, plant your bearded iris in raised beds. Each plant consists of a rhizome with a few thick, white roots and a fan of trimmed leaves. Set the rhizome horizontally so that the top surface of the rhizome peeks above the soil. Buried too deeply, the rhizome may rot. After planting, you can mulch around the planting area but keep the rhizome exposed.
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