What Is A Bearded Iris Bearded Iris Varieties And Growing Info

Bearded iris is a popular perennial for its stunning flowers, variety of bloom colors, and striking, sword like leaves. Growing these flowers is not difficult, as they are drought tolerant. They only need to be divided every few years to maintain healthy, blooming plants.

What's the difference between an iris and a bearded iris?

Bearded iris have thick, fleshy roots (rhizomes) that grow on or very close to the soil surface. ... Siberian iris flowers are smaller than bearded iris and do not have a beard. They prefer relatively acidic soil and consistent moisture, but will tolerate periods of dry weather.

How do you grow bearded iris?

Bearded Iris prefer at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. In hot climates (zones 8-11), they will tolerate 4-6 hours of sun. Make sure your Iris get some shade during the day in hotter climates. Bearded Iris prefer to be planted in well-drained soil.

Do bearded irises spread?

Bearded irises and Siberian irises both grow from fleshy underground stems called rhizomes, which are capable of producing the roots that will draw nutrients and water into the plant, as well as the shoots that will eventually form leaves and flower buds. ... As iris rhizomes spread, they become crowded.

How do you take care of bearded irises?

Iris Growing Tips

Plant them in a sunny spot in late summer. The plants need well-drained soil and at least six hours of sunlight per day. ...
Prepare their beds. ...
Give them room to breathe. ...
Do not mulch. ...
Remove seedpods that form after the blooms have faded. ...
Prune back the foliage in the fall. ...
Make dividing a habit.

Are irises invasive?

Yellow flag iris is an invasive ornamental perennial that is a problem in many states and other countries. It will sicken livestock if ingested and is generally avoided by herbivores. Contact with its resins can cause skin irritation in humans.

What does Bearded Iris mean?

: any of numerous wild or cultivated irises with a growth of short hairs on each fall.

Do you cut back bearded iris?

It usually takes several weeks for iris leaves to completely die back. ... Leaves should be cut back to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Then, wait until after the first hard frost. This will kill off the remaining foliage, at which point you can remove it to the ground.

Can you plant irises in the spring?

A quick guide to growing all the Irises: The big Bearded Irises you plant in late summer, the bulb Iris you plant in fall, and Siberian, Japanese and Louisianas you plant in spring. They're all great, all easy to grow.

How deep do I plant bearded iris?

In climates with hot summers, plant the rhizome just below the soil surface. Plant rhizomes singly or in groups of three, 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on the size. Dig a shallow hole 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep.

What to do with bearded irises after flowering?

The heart of a mature iris can become woody and unproductive after a few years. After flowering lift the rhizome with a garden fork. Cut off the healthy, young rhizomes at the edge of the plant and discard the woody centre. Replant the new plants immediately and cut back the foliage to about 12cm.

When can I divide irises?

Divide at the right time of year, after flowering, when irises become dormant during late summer, reducing the chance of bacterial soft rot. Avoid dividing during winter when irises are trying to survive on stored energy in their rhizomes. Snip the leaf blades to about one third of their height.

What month do iris bloom?

A number of bearded varieties bloom from early spring to early summer. Among beardless irises, many varieties in the Spuria subgroup bloom from late spring to midsummer. Some Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and Japanese iris (I. ensata) selections bloom from mid-spring to early summer.

How do you keep irises blooming?

Ideal iris soil pH is 6.8 and soil should have average levels of nitrogen, but sufficient amounts of phosphorus too, the nutrient that helps plants form flowers. An amendment of superphosphate, colloidal phosphate or bone meal applied in early spring can help plants develop blooms.

How do you transplant irises in the spring?

Trim the leaves back to 8 inches before transplanting iris. Replant the smaller, younger rhizomes so that the top of the rhizome sits at or slightly above the soil line. Do not bury rhizomes too deeply or you risk having them rot. For Siberian iris, the right time for transplanting depends on where you garden.

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.

Do irises multiply?

Irises multiply readily by growing new rhizomes that mature quickly. Because they multiply so quickly, irises are easy to share. Every few years, irises should be divided just like daylilies to rejuvenate the plant.

How fast do irises spread?

Irises are perennials, and they'll gradually spread from the roots over many growing seasons. Every three to five years, you'll want to divide the irises in crowded flower beds and replant them to avoid competition for water and soil.

Is Iris a perennial?

Irises are one of the earliest blooming and easiest perennial flowers to grow. Most of the more than 300 species worldwide are hardy throughout the U.S. and are widely adapted to various soil and sun conditions. By combining different types of irises, you can have them in bloom from early spring right into the summer.

What does Blue Iris mean?

Blue irises symbolize faith and hope. White irises symbolize purity.

What do purple irises mean?

Purple iris brings a message of wisdom and compliments, while a bouquet of blue iris blossoms speak of hope and faith. When passion is the iris definition you wish to convey, send yellow blooms. For bridal bouquets, white iris flowers are ideal, because these blooms symbolize purity.

Does Iris mean message?

In addition to the literal meaning of the word 'iris', there was also a goddess in Greek mythology named Iris. According to the ancient Greeks, this goddess carried messages between human beings and gods. ... The symbolic meaning of the Iris is thus 'I have a message for you'.