How to Get New colors of Iris Flowers

There are many different colors and kinds of Iris that can grow in a variety of climates and conditions. Every yard and garden should have a spot where an Iris plant can grow and produce its beautiful flowers and distinctive plant form in a landscape. Each year new colors of Iris flowers are propagated and offered by nurseries and plant breeders. Here are several different ways to start an Iris garden or add to a collection with new varieties and colors of Iris flowers each year.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Local nurseries
• Internet
• Catalogues from nurseries and suppliers
• Friendly neighbors with Iris

1. 
    
   Lilac color Iris Flower

   Watch for Iris plant sales at local garden stores. Iris rhizomes will usually start to become available near the end of July until the end of September. The dates will depend on the part of the country you live in and the climate zone for the area.

2. 
    
   Red color Iris flower

   Get on the mailing list for bulb supply companies and nurseries. Catalogues are sent out by mail in advance of planting seasons so they can receive orders early. The plants or bulbs will prepared and mailed at the correct time of year for planting for each climate zone. Some companies offer discounts for early orders for Fall plantings that are sent in before the end of July.

3. 
    
   Purple color Iris Flower

   Find an Iris society in your town. Iris flower lovers are all over the country and have organizations, flower shows and meetings. The groups will often get together at the right time of year for their locality and have an Iris sale for the public. Southern Nevada Iris society in Las Vegas has a sale in July.

4. 
    
   lift and divide plants every few years

   Find neighbors that have Iris gardens and ask to trade one of your colors for theirs. When it is time to lift and divide the plants most gardeners will be pleased to get a new one for their collection too.

5. 
    
   native Iris

   Native and endangered species. There are native and endangered Iris species that grow in the wild and in National parks. Don't remove any of these Iris as there can be a hefty fine. Native Iris that are not endangered can be purchased at local plant nurseries and are wonderful for a naturalized garden.

6. 
    
   Iris pollination site

   Learn to pollinate your Iris to get new varieties. This can be very time consuming as it may take years to get a plant to the point of producing flowers to see the results of cross pollination. If you do have the time and interest this is how new varieties and colors are created.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to smell the bearded Iris when they are blooming. The fragrance is delicately sweet and unique to each color.
• When trading or sharing plants be aware of possible disease or insect problems and don't spread them around too.
• Don't propagate and sell patented plants it is against the law. Trading with a neighbor is ok.
• Once you start a collection and if the Iris do well in your landscape you will be hooked on collecting new colors of Iris flowers, especially the Bearded Iris, they are exquisite.

Resources

• Burpee Seed Company
• How to pollinate Iris Schreiners
• Free Catalogue Schreiners

[andhowto]

on 8/6/2009 I really like this article! 5 stars and rec

[stratus]

on 8/5/2009 Thanks for inspiring me to look past the standard colors!

[southernotmom]

on 7/30/2009 Thanks for the ideas, I love flowers!

[debinflorida]

on 7/19/2009 Some great tips! I've made lots of friends asking for plants from their yard.

[art2cee2]

on 7/19/2009 Wow didn't know about producing new colors. Great article. I have a lot of iris but I never know which color will apprear from one year to the next. 5*