How to Select Bearded Iris

The bearded iris is an easy to grow a perennial. This iris has six petals with three petals growing up and three growing down. The hairy little flower strip that grows on the downward petals is called a beard which gives this iris its name. The iris has green swordlike leaves. Flowers grow on a tall slender leafless stem. Flowers are the color of the rainbow from white to yellow to deep purple. Many have unique three-color blooms. Plant an iris and it will reward you for years with its easy care beauty.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Iris rhizomes
• Iris plants

1. 

   Design an iris garden based on height. The tallest iris grow 5 to 6 feet tall. Plant them where they will not overshadow or crowd out smaller iris. The shortest iris grow to 6 inches. As iris need sun, miniature and dwarf iris should be planted apart from taller garden flowers that might shade them. Iris spread and fill the space around them with new plants. Give every iris room to grow and plant them where you want permanent iris beds.

2. 

   Create a garden pattern with iris. Pick a colorful iris or a variety to plant rows, circles, squares or borders. Make a majestic display of medium iris up to 2 feet tall in raised beds. Check out the hundreds of iris varieties and plant an ocean of blue iris or a rainbow of brilliant iris. Formal iris gardens often have several raised beds with walkways between the iris displays.

3. 

   Use shade tolerant iris such as Variegated Iris around trees or tall shrubs. These iris grow well in raised beds around a tree. Plant the bed with iris, daffodils and narcissus. When one plant quits flowering, another fills the tree bed with color and foliage. The raised bed provides good drainage for iris and bulbs.

4. 

   Make a groundcover with miniature or dwarf iris. These amazing little iris spread quickly with short showy flowers. They add color around rock gardens and grow well with sedum or small ice plants.

5. 

   Show off iris in traditional ways. In many towns, iris stand tall like sentinels marking a home entrance or driveway. Plant a row of iris instead of a hedge between neighbors and watch it grow in a few years into a dense beautiful divider. Iris are social flowers. Meet new friends at an iris club exchange where guests swap plants.

Tips & Warnings

• Look for iris rebloomers. These varieties re-bloom after the first flowering so that they flower twice a year.
• Some iris may irritate skin. Use caution when pruning or cutting back iris until you know your sensitivity.