What colors does African Iris come in?
Bicolor African Iris features showy spikes of white orchid-like flowers with orange overtones and black spots rising above the foliage from mid spring to mid fall. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its attractive sword-like leaves remain dark green in color throughout the year. With striking sword-like leaves and ornate flowers, african Iris thrives with routine pruning. Remove spent blooms, and dead or damaged foliage to stimulate growth and flowering—the ideal pruning seasons being early spring and winter. During these times, trim back foliage by a third.Butterfly African Iris is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers.Trim Iris foliage to a height of about 6 inches. A clean garden will help prevent the spread of various fungal diseases and can discourage overwintering pests from building nests. Evergreen boughs or straw make a good winter protection for Iris, particularly in areas with especially harsh winters.Pick a location that gets at least six hours of sun every day and your irises will be happy. If you are in a very hot climate, irises will enjoy a bit of afternoon shade. Because irises grow in clumps, you can plant quite a few in a small space. Plan on spacing your clumps 18″ – 24″ apart.What are common mistakes to avoid when cutting back irises? Avoid over-pruning your irises and don’t make the mistake of cutting them back too early in the season. If you cut back too much or too early, you are removing the leaves that provide energy to the iris and the plant may weaken.
Do African irises like sun or shade?
Mature Size: 2-3′ tall x 3-4′ wide. Climate Requirements: African Iris performs best in full sun or part shade, in moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils. Best flower production occurs in full sun, but light afternoon shade is welcomed. Water. Provide regular watering — about 1 inch of water per week — during long periods of no rain. African irises are drought tolerant once established but grow best and produce better flowers when they receive water weekly.Ensure these plants receive a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily; check annually for any changes in their sun exposure. Irises need at least 6 hours of sun per day if they are to flower to their fullest potential, and you should evaluate their location every year to ensure this demand is met.Shade and overcrowding are the most common culprits when irises won’t bloom. If your irises aren’t in full sun, move them to a brighter spot.Bearded irises should be divided every three to five years, as the plants quickly become overcrowded and don’t bloom well.Add a few spring-blooming bulbs like snowdrops, daffodils, crocus, and tulips to fill in space until the Irises have emerged in late spring.
Should African Iris be cut back?
Iris plants are best cut back in the fall. Spent flower stalks can be removed in spring after the plants finish blooming, but the foliage should be left standing through summertime. In mid-autumn, cut the leaves back to about 3″ long above the soil line. Late July through mid August is the best time to plant, move or divide iris. Iris is one of the most popular perennials in the garden and easy to grow.Perennials To Plant With Iris Alternately, Iris pairs easily with hyssop, heuchera, columbine, and delphinium to create drifts of flowers that float above their foliage. Layering early and late blooming perennials in the same bed can extend the color interest through fall.Several perennials grow well in beds with irises, including salvia, black-eyed Susan, phlox, sedum, daylilies, foxglove, yarrow, and hyssop.I have iris paired with my roses and they seem to work well. I will often move the mulch away from the iris tubers, but found that sometimes as long as the mulch is where it gets toasty the iris don’t seem to mind. I just planted my first Siberian bed this year.In dry-summer climates they’re highly resistant to disease. They’re able to push back and hold their own against aggressive weeds and groundcovers, without ever becoming invasive themselves, since a clump of irises only creeps outward by about 3-4 inches per year.
Do African Iris come back every year?
Younger plants flower less, but within 2 years of its initial planting, the African Iris will begin to flower year round. Although the flowers are short lived, they are numerous; with each stalk producing a large supply of buds. The flower stems are perennials, and therefore do not need to be cut back once they flower. Identifying signs of overwatering or underwatering is critical to maintaining the health of your African Iris. Overwatering can lead to root rot, characterized by yellowing leaves, mushy roots, and a general lack of vigor. Conversely, underwatering may result in dry, brittle leaves, and a wilted appearance.Pruning or trimming the foliage protects the plant from fungal and bacterial diseases caused by too much moisture on the leaves. Irises are vulnerable to blight, leaf spot, and soft rot. Left to overwinter, they are also vulnerable to a major iris pest, called the iris borer.
Is African Iris invasive?
Slow and Gradual: While African Iris can spread, it does so relatively slowly and is not considered invasive. The rate of spread depends on factors such as growing conditions, climate, and available space. Soak your Iris rhizome in room temperature water overnight to re-hydrate it before planting. Dig a hole about 12” wide and 6” inches deep. Plant roots around 2 ft apart; they need air circulation and room to grow. Personal space: it’s important for everybody).Iris can be grown in containers with much success. Select a roomy pot. Dwarf Iris a 6” to 8” pot will work. Nitrogen.Irises don’t like high-nitrogen fertilizers, because they encourage soft growth that is prone to rot. Use a balanced 10-10-10 or low-nitrogen 5-10-10 fertilizer, or a superphosphate. Apply lightly in the early spring and again about a month after blooming is done. Sprinkle it around the rhizome, not on top of it.African Iris prefers a balanced fertilizer with equal parts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 or 14-14-14). Over-fertilizing can lead to leaf burn and root damage, impacting the overall health of the African Iris.
How often should I water African Iris?
Provide regular watering — about 1 inch of water per week — during long periods of no rain. African irises are drought tolerant once established but grow best and produce better flowers when they receive water weekly. If your bearded irises have been in the same spot for over four years, or the plants don’t bloom as they did once, it’s time to dig, divide, and replant. July is the best time to do this task and your iris plants will thank you with more blooms next year.Cut back irises after blooming and before winter to promote health and blooms. Removing unhealthy foliage helps prevent disease and pest problems. Divide irises every 3 to 5 years to avoid overcrowding and encourage flowering.Hot and humid conditions do not sound like a good time to garden. If you are a lover of iris, forget about the weather as there is work to be done. Late July through mid August is the best time to plant, move or divide iris. Iris is one of the most popular perennials in the garden and easy to grow.Keep the pot outdoors during the winter. When bloom buds begin to appear in the fans, bring the pot inside and place in a bright sunny window. After bloom, be sure to divide your Iris and replant outside or into more pots.Most varieties grow best in full sun (6+ hours a day) although some do well in partial shade. Optimum pH is 6. Bearded irises tolerate a range of soils from loam to clay but planting sites must be well drained.