Irises are the perfect flower for gardeners and growers, both beginners and experienced. This tough flower is easy to grow in a variety of climates, relatively drought tolerant and low maintenance. When in bloom, irises are beautiful, ranging from the common purple to white and yellow patterns. Iris is one of the perennials that are easy to grow and grow. Start planting today.
Part 1 of 3: Planting New Irises
Step 1. Choose the appropriate species
While most irises are tough and easy to care for, some are better suited to certain conditions. Depending on the climate and conditions in which you plan to grow irises, there are certain varieties as better choices. Below is information about some of the most common irises:
- Siberian Iris: Contrary to its name, this breed is native to Central and Eastern Europe and Turkey. This is one of the most adaptable of irises - very easy to grow and maintain. This species grows well, especially in temperate climates.
- Louisiana Iris: Native to the hot and humid southeast of the United States. This variety grows well in a variety of conditions, but will not bloom well if it gets less than an inch of water or grows during the summer months.
- Beardless Iris: Native to Central and Southern Europe. It grows well if it receives at least half a day of full sun. It can even survive in the hot sun although not always.
Step 2. Plant in late summer
Most irises are best planted in late summer (early fall at the latest). This will give the iris a chance to build roots when there is enough sunlight to fuel its growth so it can survive the winter. For most Iris varieties, July and August are the best months for planting.
However, be aware that in areas with long summers and mild winters, you can plant irises as late as September or even October - in which case, usually there is still enough sunlight available to help the plant grow roots before winter
Step 3. Choose a spot that gets about six to eight hours of full sun per day
Most irises can develop if exposed to a lot of sunlight. You don't have to plant your irises in the sun all the time (although irises can still grow well in this situation), but they are usually more sun-tolerant than similar-sized flowers. You can plant irises in flowerbeds that receive tree shade at the end of the day or next to a sunny house in the late afternoon for sufficient light.
Step 4. Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage
Iris prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil - a pH around 6.8-7.0 is best. In addition, irises need soil with good aeration and drainage. This is important to prevent root rot, as irises are prone to overwatering.
- For loamy, heavy soils that have poor drainage, add humus or organic matter to increase soil permeability.
- Planting on a slope or in an elevated flowerbed can solve the drainage problem - in this case, the water will drain naturally from the iris.
Step 5. Plant the rhizome so that the top is exposed
One of the common mistakes lay growers make when planting irises is planting them too deep. Unlike most plants, irises grow best when their rhizome – a brown, root-like structure at the base that resembles a potato – is slightly exposed to air. The roots of the plant should be arranged in such a way that the irises grow downwards beneath the rhizome.
Note that in very hot climates, covering the rhizome with a thin layer of soil (no more than an inch) can help protect it from drying out
Step 6. Plant the rhizomes so they can be placed separately
Irises tend to grow together when planted close to each other. When this happens, plants can compete for the same soil, water and nutrients, thereby inhibiting each other's growth. To prevent this, plant the rhizomes of the irises at least one to two feet apart.
Even with these precautions, the irises can still grow together after a few years. If this is the case, don't worry - you can fix this by digging up some rhizomes and replanting at a greater distance from the flower
Step 7. If growing conditions are not favorable, plant the iris in a pot
Depending on where you live and the time of year, outdoor conditions may not be suitable for growing new plants. Instead of planting irises in outdoor soil but they are unlikely to grow well, you should plant them in pots. This allows you to carefully control the amount of time the plant is exposed to outside weather until it develops and can then be transferred to the garden. For very bad conditions like thick ice sheets for example, you can keep the plant indoors.
- For most irises, a 12-inch pot is perfect for use. Small irises do well in 6 to 8-inch pots.
- Regardless of the size of the pot you use, make sure it has good drainage - it has at least one large hole in the bottom (or several smaller holes) to drain the water out.
Part 2 of 3: Caring for Iris Growth
Step 1. Water frequently after the irises are planted
After planting the irises, water them thoroughly. If conditions are dry, water every 7 to 10 days or as needed in the morning or evening. Assuming you planted your irises in late summer or early fall, you can stop watering the plants once the weather cools down and it starts to rain.
One common mistake that usually occurs is over-watering. If the rhizome or root is kept moist without being given a chance to dry out, the roots will rot. This fungal condition can be potentially fatal to the iris and easily spreads to nearby plants, so preventing it is much better
Step 2. Stop watering as the plant forms
Over time, plants need less water. Once the weather kicks in in the fall, you can stop watering until next summer's growing season. In general, irises need less water each subsequent summer - that is, a mild summer climate.
Exceptions apply to areas with very hot and dry summers. In this case, several waterings are needed each summer to keep the irises from drying out. Although the iris is quite enduring, it cannot survive in extreme conditions without assistance
Step 3. Make sure the rhizomes are open and the roots are well aerated
As the iris grows, you should check periodically to make sure that the rhizome is not covered with dirt, organic matter, or other debris. If present, brush gently without moving the plant or disturbing the roots. Also, make sure that the soil still has good aeration and drainage - if not, add humus or organic matter as needed.
Step 4. Prune off any browned or dying leaves and flower stalks
Unlike high-maintenance garden plants, iris leaves do not require pruning or pruning to thrive. In fact, leaving the leaves behind after the growing season allows the iris to get more nutrients from photosynthesis for next year's growth. In general, pruning is only necessary to remove dead, browned leaf tissue that has fallen off - otherwise it won't do the plant any good.
Note that before winter, you may also have to cut the flower stalks to the base. If the flower dies during the winter and falls to the base of the plant, the rot can spread to the rhizome as it decays
Part 3 of 3: Caring For Iris All Year Long
Step 1. Protect the plant in preparation for winter
As plant roots grow throughout late summer and early fall, you might think about protecting your irises after the weather gets cold, especially if you live in an area with very cold winters. Natural snowfall can prevent the soil from cracking and heaving which can occur during very cold weather and kills the rhizomes.
- If your area doesn't always get snow, you can spread loose mulch (such as evergreen branches) over the soil to protect the soil. Do not add a thick layer of mulch - this layer can trap moisture in the soil and cause rot.
- Remove irises that have been severely frostbitten - if allowed to rot, these plants can become a nesting place for the borer to lay eggs.
Step 2. Weed and protect flowers against pests in spring
When the weather starts to warm, you can allow the snow to melt naturally and/or remove the protective mulch used in winter. As new plants begin to grow upward, watch for any weeds near the irises and pull them out as early as possible. Use an eco-friendly herbicide or weed killer to keep grass and weeds at the base of the iris.
In addition, you should be wary of encroaching pests, especially snails. There are many different ways to feed snails, from commercial products to home solutions. One very easy way to do this is to make a beer trap - Fill a half-open bottle with beer and bury it in the ground all the way to the rim of the jar. Snails that are attracted to beer will fall and drown
Step 3. Monitor growth and provide nutrition in spring
Irises can benefit from the occasional use of a light fertilizer starting in the growing season after you plant them. Don't use fertilizers that are high in nitrogen - this can lead to overgrowth of leaves (which will eventually rot). Water after fertilizing to prevent the fertilizer from "burning". Below is a selection of fertilizers that can be used for irises:
- General fertilizer "5-10-10"
- General fertilizer "5-10-5"
- Bone meal
Step 4. Repeat the cycle as needed
As the irises grow more mature, the amount of time you need to care for them will decrease drastically. However, even when the plant has stood for years, you should always check it every few weeks to make sure the irises are not in trouble. As long as the plant receives good sunlight during the growing season, occasional rainwater, and nutrients from the soil, irises should be fine. Iris is a perennial, so it will gradually spread from the roots over the growing season over the years.