Iris (Iridceae)

General Garden Care:

Irises are very hardy plants and really do not need a lot of attention. Irises prefer a full day of sun, but will grow and bloom well if given six or more hours of sunlight. Keep your Iris beds clean and free of weeds and debris. Bloom stems should be cut off close to the ground after blooming. Healthy green leaves should be left undisturbed, while diseased or brown leaves should be removed. During initial planting and throughout their lifetime allow the tops of the rhizomes ability to bask in the sun. A common mistake is to plant Iris too deeply.

Where to Plant: Full sun or 6+ hours of sun. Iris will thrive in most loose and well-drained garden soils. They do not tolerate wet soil. In heavy clay, some of our members recommend raised beds or raised rows with compost.

When to Plant: July, August or September to provide ample time to become well established in your garden before the growing season ends. Is it too late to plant them? Probably not - you may not see blooms the first year. (I have forgotten a few of mine until spring when I spotted them in my wagon with a little bit of new growth! I still planted them!)

Distance / Spacing: 12 to 24 inches apart. Close planting looks good when first planting for a more immediate effect, but plan on thinning more often. Spaced plants require less frequent thinning.

Fertilization: Some of our members do not use any fertilization, while other members provide a well-balanced fertilizer such as 5-10-10. (Apply this during the early spring before bloom time and again in early summer) about a month after bloom.