· GrowingGermaniris is an easy way to add color to the spring and summer garden. Watering, fertilization with a high phosphorus fertilizer, and division every few years is necessary for the care of Germanirises. When to PlantIf planted from nursery starts, the bearded iris is usually planted in the spring and will flower in its first year. If planted from bare roots, it can be planted in the fall or the spring; bare-root plants may not flower robustly until their second year. Bearded irises have a moderate growth rate, with the capacity to grow 4 inches to 40 inches in one year.Selecting a Planting SiteBearded irises need full sun to grow. The best growing conditions for them include a site with well-draining soil that cannot tolerate clay-like soils. In the hottest climates, the full sun might become too harsh for longer than six hours, so ensure it has some shade cover for a portion of the day. They can tolerate all-day sun in cooler climates, such as in the lower USDA zones 4 and 5.Spacing, Depth, and SupportPlant the rhizome rooting structures about 1 to 2 feet apart. They do not need to be planted too deep. Most rhizomes should be planted below the surface, exposing the top with any roots pointed downward. However, in a hot weather climate, at the upper range of USDA zones 7-9, consider covering the top of the rhizome with 1 inch of soil. After planting, lightly water to settle the soil around the root structure. Tall bearded irises will likely require staking, especially during high winds or i...See full list on thespruce.comThe most popular of the irises, bearded irises are easy to grow provided you plant them in a sunny site with well-drained soil. A major departure for growing irises compared to other perennials is that they do not like mulch. Mulches (as well as deep planting) encourage the rhizomesto develop rot, so let your soil remain bare. Space plants at least...See full list on thespruce.comIris groups are categorized as "bearded," "beardless," and "crested." Japanese, Dutch, and Siberian irisare among those that fall into the beardless category. Within the broad category of the popular bearded iris group, there are also subcategories: tall bearded, intermediate bearded, short bearded, miniature bearded, and border bearded. The main d...See full list on thespruce.comFaded, withered flowers should be pinched off immediately. Pruning may promote additional blooms or even a repeat bloom period later in the season. Every four or five years, clumps of iris should be dug up, divided, and replanted to cull out diseased roots and iris borer damage. Dividing will keep iris plants vigorous and allow you to propagate new...See full list on thespruce.comDividing iriseswill multiply your iris plants for your garden. Division of the rhizome keeps existing irises healthy. Here's how to divide irises: 1. Dig up the rhizomes with a shovel in late summer and shake off all loose soil. Any flower stalks that are still in place can be removed at this time. 2. Carefully pull or cut the rhizome cluster apart...See full list on thespruce.comPropagation by seed is generally only done by nursery professionals when they seek to breed new varieties by careful cross-pollination. However, it is possible to growiris from the tiny seeds in the green oval pods left behind after the flowers fade. If you collect the seeds and plant them about 1/4-inch deep in the garden, they often will sprout ...See full list on thespruce.comAlthough it's not a common method, you can grow irises in pots at least 12 inches wide. Use a loose, soil-free potting mix, and leave the tops of the rhizomes exposed or just barely covered. Do not overwater the plants. In colder climates, you may need to move the containers to sheltered locations for the winter to ensure the plant's' survival. Iri...See full list on thespruce.comTrimming back foliage fans to about 6 inches in the fall makes the garden look tidy, reduces leaf surface area that might host fungal disease, and removes caterpillar eggs. Destroy all foliage you remove, and do not add it to the compost bin. If plants show signs of rot or damage from borers, the roots should be dug up and inspected in early fall. ...See full list on thespruce.comThough irises do not suffer many problems, routine lifting and dividing are necessary to combat iris borer worms and keep plants healthy and productive. The iris boreris the most serious insect pest of irises. In the spring, caterpillars hatch and tunnel through leaves, reaching the rhizome by summer. Feeding tunnels allow the rhizome to become inf...See full list on thespruce.comBloom MonthsBearded iris typically blooms in April or May. Some reblooming cultivars may rebloom in summer or fall.What Do Bearded Iris Flowers Look and Smell Like?Bearded iris flowers are best known for their large, ostentatious flowers. They have six petals—three upright standard petals and three floppy petals that fall downward. The petals have a central, bearded line leading inward to the flower center. Of the irises, bearded irises are the most fragrant. Some cultivars are more fragrant, with scents ranging from orange blossom to grape soda.How to Encourage More Blooms1. Proper planting depth: Don't plant the rhizomes too deeply. When replanting divisions, ensure the rhizome crown is barely covered with soil. 2. Give ample sun: Ensure the iris gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. 3. Do not overfeed: Too much fertilizer causes the iris to put energy into leaf growth at the expense of flowers. All it needs is a single feeding in the spring. 4. Divide every few years:Flowering will fall off radically when root clumps become too dense. Dig up your...See full list on thespruce.comView all1 day ago · Learn how to grow and care for irises and avoid common iris problems, according to expert iris growers. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are distinguished by fuzzy “beards” in downward falling petals. Learn how to grow and care for these stunning flowers. For best results, plant iris rhizomes in July, August or September. This is also the best time (plants are normally dormant during the heat of July and August) to divide and replant iris that have become overcrowded, usually after three to five years. · Potted irises can be found in garden centers and planted from the pot into the ground after purchase. German bearded iris roots and semi-evergreen leaves emerge from thick underground stems called rhizomes. This plant's green, strap-like leaves are linear and lanceolate with entire margins. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica and hybrids): Bearded irises, also known as Germanirises, have a fleshy root that's called a rhizome, which grows right at the soil surface. The flower stalks range in height from 8 to 40 inches, depending on the variety, and are hardy in zones 3 to 9. When to PlantIf planted from nursery starts, the bearded iris is usually planted in the spring and will flower in its first year. If planted from bare roots, it can be planted in the fall or the spring; bare-root plants may not flower robustly until their second year. Bearded irises have a moderate growth rate, with the capacity to grow 4 inches to 40 inches in one year.Selecting a Planting SiteBearded irises need full sun to grow. The best growing conditions for them include a site with well-draining soil that cannot tolerate clay-like soils. In the hottest climates, the full sun might become too harsh for longer than six hours, so ensure it has some shade cover for a portion of the day. They can tolerate all-day sun in cooler climates, such as in the lower USDA zones 4 and 5.Spacing, Depth, and SupportPlant the rhizome rooting structures about 1 to 2 feet apart. They do not need to be planted too deep. Most rhizomes should be planted below the surface, exposing the top with any roots pointed downward. However, in a hot weather climate, at the upper range of USDA zones 7-9, consider covering the top of the rhizome with 1 inch of soil. After planting, lightly water to settle the soil around the root structure. Tall bearded irises will likely require staking, especially during high winds or i...See full list on thespruce.comThe most popular of the irises, bearded irises are easy to grow provided you plant them in a sunny site with well-drained soil. A major departure for growing irises compared to other perennials is that they do not like mulch. Mulches (as well as deep planting) encourage the rhizomesto develop rot, so let your soil remain bare. Space plants at least...See full list on thespruce.comIris groups are categorized as "bearded," "beardless," and "crested." Japanese, Dutch, and Siberian irisare among those that fall into the beardless category. Within the broad category of the popular bearded iris group, there are also subcategories: tall bearded, intermediate bearded, short bearded, miniature bearded, and border bearded. The main d...See full list on thespruce.comFaded, withered flowers should be pinched off immediately. Pruning may promote additional blooms or even a repeat bloom period later in the season. Every four or five years, clumps of iris should be dug up, divided, and replanted to cull out diseased roots and iris borer damage. Dividing will keep iris plants vigorous and allow you to propagate new...See full list on thespruce.comDividing iriseswill multiply your iris plants for your garden. Division of the rhizome keeps existing irises healthy. Here's how to divide irises: 1. Dig up the rhizomes with a shovel in late summer and shake off all loose soil. Any flower stalks that are still in place can be removed at this time. 2. Carefully pull or cut the rhizome cluster apart...See full list on thespruce.comPropagation by seed is generally only done by nursery professionals when they seek to breed new varieties by careful cross-pollination. However, it is possible to growiris from the tiny seeds in the green oval pods left behind after the flowers fade. If you collect the seeds and plant them about 1/4-inch deep in the garden, they often will sprout ...See full list on thespruce.comAlthough it's not a common method, you can grow irises in pots at least 12 inches wide. Use a loose, soil-free potting mix, and leave the tops of the rhizomes exposed or just barely covered. Do not overwater the plants. In colder climates, you may need to move the containers to sheltered locations for the winter to ensure the plant's' survival. Iri...See full list on thespruce.comTrimming back foliage fans to about 6 inches in the fall makes the garden look tidy, reduces leaf surface area that might host fungal disease, and removes caterpillar eggs. Destroy all foliage you remove, and do not add it to the compost bin. If plants show signs of rot or damage from borers, the roots should be dug up and inspected in early fall. ...See full list on thespruce.comThough irises do not suffer many problems, routine lifting and dividing are necessary to combat iris borer worms and keep plants healthy and productive. The iris boreris the most serious insect pest of irises. In the spring, caterpillars hatch and tunnel through leaves, reaching the rhizome by summer. Feeding tunnels allow the rhizome to become inf...See full list on thespruce.comBloom MonthsBearded iris typically blooms in April or May. Some reblooming cultivars may rebloom in summer or fall.What Do Bearded Iris Flowers Look and Smell Like?Bearded iris flowers are best known for their large, ostentatious flowers. They have six petals—three upright standard petals and three floppy petals that fall downward. The petals have a central, bearded line leading inward to the flower center. Of the irises, bearded irises are the most fragrant. Some cultivars are more fragrant, with scents ranging from orange blossom to grape soda.How to Encourage More Blooms1. Proper planting depth: Don't plant the rhizomes too deeply. When replanting divisions, ensure the rhizome crown is barely covered with soil. 2. Give ample sun: Ensure the iris gets at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. 3. Do not overfeed: Too much fertilizer causes the iris to put energy into leaf growth at the expense of flowers. All it needs is a single feeding in the spring. 4. Divide every few years:Flowering will fall off radically when root clumps become too dense. Dig up your...See full list on thespruce.comView all1 day ago · Learn how to grow and care for irises and avoid common iris problems, according to expert iris growers. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are distinguished by fuzzy “beards” in downward falling petals. Learn how to grow and care for these stunning flowers. For best results, plant iris rhizomes in July, August or September. This is also the best time (plants are normally dormant during the heat of July and August) to divide and replant iris that have become overcrowded, usually after three to five years. · Potted irises can be found in garden centers and planted from the pot into the ground after purchase. German bearded iris roots and semi-evergreen leaves emerge from thick underground stems called rhizomes. This plant's green, strap-like leaves are linear and lanceolate with entire margins. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica and hybrids): Bearded irises, also known as Germanirises, have a fleshy root that's called a rhizome, which grows right at the soil surface. The flower stalks range in height from 8 to 40 inches, depending on the variety, and are hardy in zones 3 to 9. 1 day ago · Learn how to grow and care for irises and avoid common iris problems, according to expert iris growers. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica) are distinguished by fuzzy “beards” in downward falling petals. Learn how to grow and care for these stunning flowers. For best results, plant iris rhizomes in July, August or September. This is also the best time (plants are normally dormant during the heat of July and August) to divide and replant iris that have become overcrowded, usually after three to five years. · Potted irises can be found in garden centers and planted from the pot into the ground after purchase. German bearded iris roots and semi-evergreen leaves emerge from thick underground stems called rhizomes. This plant's green, strap-like leaves are linear and lanceolate with entire margins. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica and hybrids): Bearded irises, also known as Germanirises, have a fleshy root that's called a rhizome, which grows right at the soil surface. The flower stalks range in height from 8 to 40 inches, depending on the variety, and are hardy in zones 3 to 9. · Potted irises can be found in garden centers and planted from the pot into the ground after purchase. German bearded iris roots and semi-evergreen leaves emerge from thick underground stems called rhizomes. This plant's green, strap-like leaves are linear and lanceolate with entire margins. · Bearded irises (Iris germanica and hybrids): Bearded irises, also known as Germanirises, have a fleshy root that's called a rhizome, which grows right at the soil surface. The flower stalks range in height from 8 to 40 inches, depending on the variety, and are hardy in zones 3 to 9. For best results, plant iris rhizomes in July, August or September. This is also the best time (plants are normally dormant during the heat of July and August) to divide and replant iris that have become overcrowded, usually after three to five years.
