How to Grow Irises that Bloom

iris flowers are all colors

Growing irises seems easy enough, since they grow from rhizomes or bulbs, but growing irises that bloom can be a little more difficult.

Once you get the knack of getting irises to bloom, they propagate and you will have lots to share.

Irises are in the Iridaceae family, and the Genus is Iris. There are irises with rhizomes and bulbs. We grow rhizomes--they have a long bulge in the root that grows horizontally. Irises are perennials, and with a little care, will last a lifetime. We live in Texas and have irises that have bloomed twelve years, and we planted them the first year we were here.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• iris rhizomes or bulbs
• a trowel
• a place in the sun

1. Find a sunny location.

   Find a place in the sun for the iris rhizomes. Prepare the soil by spading and turning, and give it a little fertilizer. Make sure the area is not boggy or swampy. Most varieties of iris do not like wet soil or shade, and you want to grow irises that bloom.

2. irises bloom in all colors

   Plant in a shallow trench.

   Plant irises shallow in the soil. The rhizome should be a thick fleshy root shaped like a potato, and when you plant the iris rhizome, it should lie horizontally in the soil near the surface. Place soil over the rhizome and pat it down so the iris rhizome is firm in the ground.

3. Water occasionally.

   Give the iris very little water. Irises need occasional water and lots of sunshine. Fertilize occasionally.

4. some white irises have large blooms

   Do use mulch, manure, or compost.

   Make sure your irises are not planted with mulch, manure, or compost. They like super-phosphate and sand if you want to grow irises that bloom.

5. Thin the irises in the fall.

   Dig rhizomes in the fall (usually after frost) for thinning and throw out the large old tough root systems. Save the newer rhizomes and plant them in the sun for more beautiful irises that bloom.

6. yellow irises are beautiful flowers

   Plant only in the sun.

   Move any irises planted in the shade and find a sunny spot in the landscape where they can bloom. The most common reason irises do not bloom is shade. You can grow irises that bloom. Some areas of the country have a long growing season and irises can bloom in spring and fall.

Tips & Warnings

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• copyright 2009 Linda Richard

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