What is the lifespan of an iris plant?
Bearded iris, Iris germanica, is one of the most easy and rewarding perennials you can grow. They can survive in xeric gardens with as little as 10 inches of rainfall a year, and will grow and bloom without care as long as they get plenty of sun. Multiplying perpetually, there is no limit on a bearded iris’ lifespan. What happens if you don’t cut back irises? The iris plant will produce fewer blooms and can become susceptible to diseases and pests when it’s not properly cut back.Tall bearded iris varieties are best planted closer to fall because they tend to go dormant in early to mid-summer.Plants Not To Grow With Iris Ferns, hostas, brunnera, toad lily, and wood asters require at least some shade to protect their delicate foliage.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.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.
How many iris bulbs should you plant together?
While irises grown from rhizomes—such as Japanese or Siberian irises—can be picky about spacing, bulbs typically only need a few inches of space. Any number of iris bulbs can be planted together. Just divide your iris bulbs when they become crowded or flowering is limited. Before planting Bearded Iris bulbs, consider pre-soaking them, especially if they appear dry.When iris rhizomes are planted too deep, they may not grow. If the rhizomes are planted too deep this can be a reason they don’t bloom. To enhance your soil in the bearded iris planting area, dig out the area you will be planting the rhizomes wider than the rhizome is by itself by (2-3 times the width of the rhizome).Aftercare. Our irises are bare-rooted, so if you can’t plant them straight away, put them in damp compost or give them a light soak to plump up the rhizomes before spreading their roots a bit and planting them at soil level. Space them about 30 cm apart, and feed them a high-potash feed while they grow.Should Iris Bulbs be Soaked Before Planting? You don’t need to soak bulbs before planting. For irises grown from rhizomes, soaking may make the roots a little more pliable for planting.
Do irises spread easily?
Most iris plants spread by means of underground stems called rhizomes. Rhizomes become too crowded over time, resulting in reduced flowering. By lifting and dividing the larger clumps, you can rejuvenate the old planting, as well as provide a source of new plants to expand your garden or share with friends. When dividing Siberian irises in early spring, dig up the entire clump when new growth has just begun to appear. Divide the clump into sections with a soil knife or spade. Each section should have several growing points and a good root system. Replant immediately.For best results, Iris should be planted in July, August or September. It’s imperative that the roots of newly planted Iris be well-established before the growing season ends. In areas with hot summers and mild winters, September or October planting may be preferred.Reblooming iris should be fertilized twice a year: once in early spring when new growth starts and again right after they bloom in spring. This helps encourage a second round of flowers in the fall. Use a balanced fertilizer, like a 10-10-10 formula, and water well after applying.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.
Do I soak iris bulbs before planting?
Before planting Bearded Iris bulbs, consider pre-soaking them, especially if they appear dry. Dividing + Transplanting Iris Fall is the time to dig, divide, and replant. Cut foliage down to 4–6 inches. Discard any mushy or bore-damaged rhizomes. Replant firm, healthy pieces with fresh soil and compost.A raised bed or planting on a slope are ideal places to plant iris. Good air circulation is essential and water should not stand in the beds.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.There are about as many recipes for good iris soil as there are iris gardeners, but one that seems to work well is to aim for about 1/3 each of sand, topsoil, and compost or humus. Many iris gardeners swear by gypsum as a soil conditioner for clay soils; other soil improvers include aged horse manure and alfalfa meal.
When can you buy iris bulbs?
When and how to buy bulb irises. You can buy iris bulbs in September and October by mail order, in nurseries, garden centres and DIY stores. Sometimes you will see potted Iris reticulata types for sale in garden centres when they are flowering in spring; this is more expensive but you get instant enjoyment. For best results, Iris should be planted in July, August or September. It’s imperative that the roots of newly planted Iris be well-established before the growing season ends. In areas with hot summers and mild winters, September or October planting may be preferred.Some iris cultivars need a year or more to fully establish in their new locations before blooming. If you relocate them frequently, they may never become well enough established to bloom. Plant irises far enough apart to allow for several years growth before requiring division.Bog irises grow best with wet soils for some of the growing seasons and will tolerate drier conditions for the remainder of the year. They can grow in shallow water but will not survive in the pond all year round. Therefore, they would have to be moved out of the pond to a drier spot in winter.Irises do well in most regions of North America and are hardy from zones 5 – 9; they bloom best in full sun but can also be planted in partial shade.By planting iris bulbs or corms in the spring, you allow them to establish their root systems before the hot summer months. This early start gives them the best chance of producing robust foliage and stunning blooms.
Is October too late to plant iris?
The later freezing occurs, the more types of vegetables you can still plant. For overwintering crops like garlic, October is often an ideal time for planting. If you live in the far north, or in areas where the ground freezes early for extended periods, reserve October planting for a heated greenhouse or hoop house. If you live in a frost-free region, October is a great time to plant cool-weather flowers and vegetables in your garden. Crops such as kale, cabbage, collards, lettuce, carrots, mustard, onions, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, beets, and garlic can all be planted in early to late October.