Planting and Care of Bearded Iris

Remove your iris from the packaging as soon as you receive them. Check them against your packing list to assure you have the iris you ordered. Please notify us at once if there is any problem with your order, rather than returning the plants.
Plant your iris as soon as possible after you receive them. While they may store for a couple of days in a cool dry place, remember they are live perishable plants.
All rhizomes are guaranteed to be freshly dug and packed.
Iris should be planted July through September, giving them 6 weeks to make new roots before the first frost. In areas of hot summers and mild winters, iris can be planted as late as early October. See General Iris Care below.
Newly planted iris need moisture to become established and will depend on your specific climate. Deep watering – less often – is preferable over shallow frequent watering. Once established, a general rule is to water deeply ever 10 to 14 days. Again, your climate will determine your watering schedule. In Texas, every 10-14 days is adequate except in the very hot dry weather we get in August-September.
Your newly planted iris will need a permanent label rather than the shipping label your iris arrived with. Make sure your label will not fade in the summer sun! May growers recommend metal garden markers. I also recommend mapping your iris bed with the name and location of your iris if you wish to remember what you’ve planted and where.

General IRIS Care

Light:

Irises need at least a half a day of direct sunlight daily to ensure good bloom. Locate a sunny spot which does not receive heavy shade-especially in the spring when flower stalks emerge. Shade at the wrong time of the year causes the bloom stalk to bend trying to grow to the light.

Soil:

Your soil must have good drainage as water must never stand around the base of the plants. Iris like a neutral soil (7.0 ph). Organic matter in the soil helps ensure good drainage and also helps retain moisture. A rich loam is ideal. Clay or sandy soils can be built up easily using compost, leaf mold, or peat moss. Be sure all are well composted. Never use fresh manure. In areas of poor drainage, raise the flower beds a few inches.

How to plant:

When planting the rhizome, the top should be right at the surface of the soil. In colder climates, plant about an inch below the surface. (This is not for the Dallas/Ft.Worth region) When in doubt, plant higher instead of lower, as the top of the rhizome likes to bake in the hot sun. Allow 12-24 inches between plants for them to increase. When you plant, firmly tamp the soil down around the roots to avoid any air pockets under the rhizome. Some people say to step on it after it’s planted! Do not over water, particularly in hot weather.

Water:

Once the plants are established, watering can be done every 10 -14 days if we have not received any rain. Allow the soil to dry out to a depth of one to two inches between waterings. In climates with hot summers, it is best to water at ground level (soaker hose), rather from above, as water can pool at the base of the leaves and cause the rhizome to rot. During the summer irises go semi dormant and don’t need much water.

Feeding and General Care:

Irises are heavy feeders and require fertilizing about 2-3 times a year. Use a general purpose fertilizer such as 10-20-10 or 6-6-6 or 6-10-10. NEVER use a fertilizer high in Nitrogen like a lawn fertilizer!

Remember that each iris cultivar is different. The rhizome of one variety may not be the same size as a rhizome of another variety. All Tall Bearded irises have nice sized blooms on tall stalks, regardless of the size of the rhizome. (Older varieties may tend to have smaller blooms however.) Some varieties are hardier than others and some are more prolific reproducers than others. Ask your grower about differences or enlist their help with any difficulties you may have.
Dividing and Replanting:

Dig up the clump, remove the soil and cut back the leaves to about 6 inches-some cut them in a fan. Using a knife cut off larger rhizomes. Rinse away the soil with a garden hose. To destroy undesirable soil bacteria, soak rhizome & leaves about 20 minutes in a mild bleach solution. (1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon water) Shake excess water from inside the leaves and allow to dry in a cool place with good air circulation. Let dry at least 2 days before replanting. To ensure plant identification write the name on each leaf fan using a black Sharpie marker.

Winter Protection

In areas with cold winters, providing protection for newly planted iris is highly recommended due to heaving caused by the freezing and thawing soil. As soon as the new growth appears in the spring, you must remove the protective mulch.