How to Garden With Bearded Iris

Iris are colorful additions to the garden.

Elegant and stately, bearded iris (Iris germanica) is a delightful addition to the spring garden. Bearded iris (also known as German iris) flowers have six petals--three hanging petals called falls, and three upright petals known as standards. The iris derives its name from the fuzzy line or beard that runs through the middle of the hanging petals or falls. Perennial, drought tolerant and low maintenance, bearded iris is one of the easiest flowers to grow.

Things You'll Need

• Garden trowel
• Organic compost

Instructions

1. 

   Purple iris flowers grow best in semi-shade.

   Select a site to plant bearded iris. Iris prefers full sun, although blue- and purple-shaded flowers produce stronger colors when planted in a semi-shade location. If planted in full shade, iris flowers will be stunted and pale. Miniature dwarf iris (less than 8 inches tall) make a vivid statement in the front of the rock garden. Favorite mini-dwarf cultivars include Ditto (cream and maroon bi-color), which is a repeat bloomer; Bantam (ruffled deep red-purple); Scribe (white with blue edging); and Zipper (golden yellow with blue beards), which offer brilliant color in early spring. Repeat blooming, tall (28- to 32-inch) garden prizes include Immortality (white, may re-bloom up to three times), Eternal Bliss (violet with tangerine falls), Bountiful Harvest (white and purple), Clarence (white with violet falls), Champagne Elegance (white and pink bi-color, ruffled petals), Pink Attraction (ruffled pale pink), Feed Back (medium blue-violet), Late Lilac (lilac), and Misty Twilight (pale violet-blue). Tall irises are striking in the back of the flower bed, against a rock wall or foundation, or when used as a pathway border planting.

2. 

   Prepare the soil. Bearded iris requires good drainage to prevent rhizome rot. Raised beds, rock gardens or hill planting work well. Hardy herbaceous perennials, iris also requires nutrient-rich, loamy soil and room to spread. Iris should be thinned and transplanted every three to five years to avoid stunted growth that results from overcrowding. Add generous amounts of organic compost and sand to the soil. Mix in well using a garden trowel to cultivate the top soil.

3. 

   Bearded iris flowers are beautiful.

   Choose a color. Bearded iris comes in an amazing array of brilliant colors, including purple, blue, pink, white, yellow and bi-colors. The majority of bearded irises flower in spring (April to June); however, newly developed cultivars re-flower in summer through fall. Re-blooming bearded irises are highly fragrant. After many decades of hybridization, there are literally thousands of bearded iris cultivars to choose from when planning your garden.

4. 

   Beautiful purple iris captivate the eye.

   Position bearded iris rhizomes above the ground. The fleshy, thick underground stems of bearded iris are called rhizomes. The rhizomes store food produced by the semi-evergreen, blade-like upright leaves. The secret of growing iris is to plant the rhizomes at the soil surface with the feeder roots penetrating into the soil below. If rhizomes are covered with soil, the plant will survive but will not flower. Keep the rhizomes firm and healthy by providing adequate drainage. The feeder roots below should be kept moist, but not saturated.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not mulch iris beds. The rhizomes must be uncovered for the plant to bloom.

References

• North Carolina State University Extension: Bearded Iris for the Home Landscape
• North Dakota State University Extension: Iris
• National Gardening Association: Plant Care Guides