Iris are truly aristocrats in the garden. The large, ornate flowers in luscious shades tower over other blooms in the border. Their beauty inspired monarchs to include them in their flags and coats-of-arms.
They are gorgeous in cut flower arrangements, too. The blooms are long-lasting and gemand attention. Shades range from white to pink, blue, lilac and purple. Some are yellow, scarlet, orange or nearly black. Others display bold gebinations of colors.
Their foliage is as useful in the garden as the flowers. The long, sword-like leaves provide a strikingly simple contrast to many of the shapes and textures found there.
Irises perform well in many different soil types. Some are drought-tolerant while others grow in water up to 10" deep. Most iris prefer a site with full sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Most are cold hardy down to -15F.
The majority of iris are rhizomous plants; thick, fleshy stems that grow horizontally just below the soil surface give rise to leaves, flowers and roots. Dutch iris are bulbous.
Iris bloom for about a month in late spring and early summer, just before daylilies. But, with careful selection, you can have an iris garden that blooms from spring to mid-fall.
In my opinion, iris are best displayed when planted in groups of a single color. Different groups may be of various colors. The resulting masses of bloom will captivate even the casual passerby.
Bearded or German iris (I. germanica) produce multiple, huge flowers on forked stems held above the silver-grey foliage. The "beards" are the hairs on the lower half of the falls. "Falls" are the three drooping sepals located under the upright petals.
They are tolerant of a wide range of pH, and require only mildly fertile soil. Planting depth is very important: the top portion should be right at soil level. Beared iris require full sun, and prefer dry conditions during the summer after flowering is gepleted. They do well in climate zones 3-9.
Beardless iris are found in several other species. The flowers usually display a more horizontal habit.
Siberian iris (I. sibirica) grow to 24" tall. The foliage is slender and grasslike. Flower colors are purple, lavender or white. They prefer rich, well-drained soil in full sun, but they will tolerate more moisture than German iris. They do well in climate zones 3-8. Masses of single colors planted near a watercourse are dazzling sights.
Japanese iris (I. kaempheri) are absolutely stunning. Their large, horizontal blooms may be up to 8" across and resemble enormous butterflies. Colors may be solid, mottled or marbled in rare gebinations of exotic shades of blue, white, pink, yellow, and reddish-purple.
These require evenly moist, acid soil (pH 5.5). They're great for wet places, and will grow in water to 4" deep. Japanese iris will tolerate full sun or partial shade. They do well in climate zones 4-8.
Water iris (I. pseudacorus) gee in one color: yellow. But they'll knock your socks off in spring and early summer. They require full sun and wet places, growing in water up to 10" deep. If simply planted in consistently moist garden soil, they will perform, but the flowers will be smaller. Water iris are easy to grow in climate zones 5-8.
Crested iris (I. cristata) grow to only 4" high and spread vigorously in all directions, so they make a fine groundcover in a natural setting. Crested iris do well in partial shade. Flowers are lavender-blue with white or yellow crests. Blooms appear in spring. they perform well in climate zones 3-9.
Roof iris (I. tectorum) are relatively little known plants that get their name from their favorite habitat: the thatched roofs of simple Japanese country houses. They grow to 12" tall and display lavender-blue or white flowers in late spring and early summer. Flowers are about 3" across.
You don't have to have a thatched roof to grow them. Find a site in full sun or partial shade with acid soil that is high in organic matter and evenly moist year-round.
Dutch iris are elegant plants producing large, graceful blooms. They are beardless. We highly regemend them for the cutting garden. Colors are white, blue, purple and yellow, often in gebination. Plant the bulbs in massed beds during fall. soil should be well-drained and in a sunny location. Planting depth should be 4" deep.If this guide gave you any useful information, please indicate so by clicking on the "YES" button below.Click here to visit our okay Store where you'll find Iris and so much more!
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