By Julie Christensen
Like lilacs , bearded irises have been around for a long time . These classical garden plants , sometimes cognise as “ flags , ” deserve a blank space in every garden . They produce beautiful blooms from natural spring to mid - summer and take almost no maintenance .
Bearded flag ( Iris germanica)grow almost everywhere in the U.S. Hardy in USDA zones 3 through 9 , they necessitate at least a routine of frost during the wintertime to break dormancy in the spring . Bearded flag are n’t bulb plants , but they organise from tuber , or soft , fleshy root . Note that care is different for beardless iris diaphragm , so be indisputable youknow which sort you have .
Planting and Growing Bearded Iris
Bearded iris grows and blossom good in a localisation that gets at least six to eight hr of sunlight every day . In hot climates , a localization with afternoon shade can work well . Plant whiskery irises from former summertime to former fall . Plant them at least six calendar week before the first tumble icing though so roots become well established .
When planting bearded irises , inspect the tubers first , and make away any that are flaccid , dark or mushy . An off - odor can also argue rot or disease . Irises are n’t particular about soil , although it must be well - draining . They grow adept in calorie-free , loamy grease with a pH near neutral , although they ’ll tolerate slightly acidic and alkaline soil .
Irises require good air circulation so plant them at least 18 to 24 inches apart . Plant the tubers so they sit down just at soil level . In hot climates , you may engraft them slenderly deeper , but plant them too deeply will encourage lots of vegetal growth and few flowers . Water the soil frequently immediately after plant as the etymon become established .
Once the roots are established , concentrate watering to once or twice per hebdomad , or just enough to keep the dirt moist 3 inches beneath the open . Overwatering is a lead cause of iris bankruptcy and advance root rot diseases . Mulch , commonly a good idea in the garden , is discourage for irises because it keep back the stain moist .
Fertilize iris diaphragm in spring and again after blooming with a lowly - nitrogen rule , such as 5 - 10 - 10 , at a pace of 2 tablespoons per plant . dispatch the spent flowers too . Allowing them to go to germ or form seedheads saps energy , reducing the blooms you ’ll see in approaching class .
Dividing Irises
Like many rhizome - form plant life , iris need unconstipated division to rest vigorous . After three or four years , the chief rootstock wither and buy the farm . Newer side shoots chassis , but the main plant starts to worsen . The flora may also become overcrowded and more prostrate to disease . By disunite irises every three to four year , your irises will remain levelheaded for yr to add up .
Irises are best divided in late summer , at least 8 weeks after they ’ve blossom . To divide irises , use a spade or garden forking to cautiously lift them out of the soil . Try not to spear up or cut the rhizomes . Cut the foliage back to 4 to 6 column inch . This pruning might seem harsh , but it come down organ transplant blow . The erstwhile iris rhizome will have many young rhizomes attached to it and each one will have its own lot of leaves . weaken off each of these young rootstock , using your hand or a knife if call for .
Once the rhizomes are divided , examine each one . Young , healthy iris rootstalk are about ½ inch widely . They should be unshakable and have several folio emerging from them . chuck out those that are honest-to-god and thick , especially if they have no top development . Also discard those that are shrunken , shrivel or soft . Some gardeners pass over the rootstalk with a solution of 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 percentage water to prevent disease problems . This scheme is n’t necessary in ironic mood , but might be a good mind in a warm , humid area . Of course , it only works with rhizomes that are healthy to commence with .
Replant the healthy iris , spacing them 18 to 24 column inch apart . Remember to plant them shallowly so the tops of the rhizomes are scantily covered with earth .
For more entropy on growing and dissever bearded irises , visit the following nexus :
How to Plant and Grow Bearded Irisfrom the American Iris Society
Bearded Iris for the Home Landscapefrom North Carolina State University Extension
Julie Christensen instruct about garden on her grandfather ’s farm and mother ’s vegetable garden in southern Idaho . Today , she lives and gardens on the high plains of Colorado . When she ’s not digging in the stain , Julie writes about food , education , parenting and horticulture .
