Growing Japanese Iris Plants - Information And Care Of Japanese Iris

Easy to grow, Japanese Irises perform best in full sun or part shade, in humus-rich, medium to wet, acidic soils. They love moisture-retentive soils and thrive in standing water, up to 6 in. deep (15 cm), during their growing season.

How do you take care of Japanese iris?

Provide additional water to Japanese iris plants during dry seasons. To grow Japanese iris in traditional planting beds, keep soil well-watered at all times. Japanese iris growth is a direct response of available moisture. When water is insufficient, plants grow and bloom poorly.

Should Japanese iris be cut back?

It usually takes several weeks for iris leaves to completely die back. By early fall, the leaves are usually ready to be cut back, according to the Utah State University Cooperative Extension. Leaves should be cut back to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Then, wait until after the first hard frost.

How do you fertilize Japanese irises?

Fertilizing: Japanese iris are heavy feeders. A liberal application of a balanced fertilizer, such as 12-12-12, in spring and just before blooming is beneficial. Weak plants showing light green foliage will be invigorated with a bi-weekly foliar and drench application of a water soluble acid fertilizer.

How do you winterize Japanese irises?

How to Winterize Iris Plants

Cut back the leaves and stems of your iris plantings with a sharp knife or clippers after the leaves have turned yellow and become droopy. ...
Clear the iris bed of all plant debris including leaves and decaying matter.

Is Epsom salt good for irises?

Another tip to keep them looking good all summer is to give them a dose of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate). Mix according to directions and water or spray your Iris. This will improve leaf color and plant vigor. Doing these things now will prepare your iris for next year's bloom season.

What to do when Iris finish blooming?

After blooming is finished, cut flower stems down at their base. But do NOT trim iris leaves after they have finished blooming. Leaves carry on photosynthesis for next year's growth. Cut off brown tips—and cut the flowering stalk down to the rhizome to discourage rot.

Why did my purple iris turn yellow?

Why Iris Flower Loses Color

Temperature changes, chemical drift, transplant issues or even a random rhizomes dug up by a dog can cause a stand of iris to change color. Irises do not always bloom every year and an older variety may be asserting itself in your cultivar's fallow period too.

When can you transplant Japanese irises?

Transplanting: Japanese iris can be transplanted almost anytime from spring until fall if you keep the plant wet, and the temperatures are below 90 F and above 32 F for a month afterwards. Dig and divide your plants every 3 to 4 years to maintain plant vigor.

Are Japanese iris invasive?

Spreads by long slender, creeping rhizomes, but is not invasive.

Why did my Japanese iris not bloom?

Poor rhizomes or bulbs are often the cause of no flowers. ... Also, the plant needs well-drained soil in full sun for flowers to be produced. Irises in shady locations may fail to form blooms. Depth of planting can also cause iris plants not flowering.

How long do Japanese iris bloom?

Blooming from early to mid summer, Japanese Irises are the last Irises to bloom, usually about 2 weeks after the Siberian Irises and about 3 weeks after the Tall Bearded Irises. There are early, mid or late season varieties, the late blooming ones starting blooming with the early blooming daylilies.

How do you split Japanese irises?

To divide irises, dig up the clump. Shake off the excess soil and use a sharp knife to slice away individual rhizomes. Keep only the ones that are firm, dry and have roots and a fan of leaves attached.

Can irises survive a freeze?

The flowers will not survive a sudden cold freeze. However, any unopened buds will survive, and as this iris blooms over a period of two weeks in both March and November, there should be more flowers to enjoy every day. A deep cold freeze to 0 degrees F.

Do iris bulbs come back every year?

Some gardeners prefer to treat them as annuals and plant fresh bulbs every fall but if the iris bulbs are happy in a sunny, well-drained spot, they will bloom for many years. Remove the blooms as they fade and the foliage will continue to grow through the summer, providing nutrition for next year's bloom.

Why are my iris bulbs coming out of the ground?

One reason you may see bulbs coming out of the ground is improper site condition. Soil for bulbs needs to be rich and organic, well worked, and free draining. Bulbs will rot in boggy soil, and they have difficulty growing up through hard pan or heavy clay.

Are coffee grounds good for irises?

Coffee grounds can be a real helper for your garden. First of all, the grounds attract earthworms, which help aerate the soil. ... Roses, hydrangeas, zinnias, rhododendrons, azaleas, pachysandra, iris and other acid-loving plants need acid in the soil to stay healthy and colorful.

Is Miracle Grow good for Iris?

Any even fertilizer is fine. You don't want to over-fertilize, because that causes a lot of leaf growth, which may encourage rot, but the fertilizer itself won't. Beardless iris tend to be heavier feeders, thus need more fertilizer, but all irises want a little fertilizer now and then! Miracle Grow is fine.

Can I sprinkle Epsom salt around plants?

Epsom salts are pH neutral and gentle on plants, including potted houseplants. To boost nutrient intake, mix two tablespoons of Epsom salts with one gallon of water and spray onto leaves, rather than onto the roots, for maximum absorption.

Is bone meal good for Iris?

Fertilization. Irises should be fertilized in early spring about 6 to 8 weeks before bloom, and again after the blooms are gone. Because phosphate is important, we recommend bone meal or super-phosphate and a light balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 6-10-10 depending on the amount of nitrogen in your soil.

Should I soak iris bulbs before planting?

Soak the Rhizome: Soak your rhizomes in bowl of water with one or two small drops of dish soap for 5 to 10 minutes before planting. This re-hydrates the rhizome and gets it ready for planting.

How long can iris rhizomes stay out of the ground?

It will not damage the prepared rhizomes to remain out of the ground for two weeks. Select a planting location with good drainage that receives a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of sun every day or that is in full sun. Iris may be planted in a bed or as clumps between other plants.