How to Grow Irises Successfully

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By kossmore
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Irises in bloom

A Iris is a beautiful flower that will bring early color to your spring garden. Irises grow wild in the south and almost wild in the north. Irises need room for their roots (rhizomes) to spread. Once they get started they multiply easily so when planting a new bed, leave room for spreading. In a few years, you will have plenty of flowers to share.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Iris rhizomes
Shovel
Peat moss
Sunny location
Loosend soil

Step 1

Prepare the soil by digging and adding peat moss and a time released fertilizer. Soil should be loose and drain well. Irises need a sunny location in the garden.
Step 2

The secret to get irises to flower is to plant irises with the top of the rhizome partly above the soil. Irises need the sun to warm the rhizome to start the flowering process. Plant each rhizome 6 inches apart. Irises multiply easily and will crowd each other if planted too close.
Step 3

When flower stalks start growing, stake them to keep them from falling over from the weight of the flower. When flowers are done blooming, remove the stalk.

Tips & Warnings

Every three or four years, dig up the iris patch, separate the rhizomes and replant them to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Water your irises daily.
The leaves stay green during the winter.