Their opulent abundance of flowers only seems to require extensive care. The practical answers to frequently asked questions convey how modest the graceful iris actually proves to be in its demands. This is how the brilliant color festival of irises can be achieved even by an inexperienced hand.
How can you properly plant and care for irises?
Irises should be planted in a bed between July and October in a sunny, protected location in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Place them about 2-3cm deep and 25-40cm apart. Care includes occasional watering, organic fertilization in spring and rejuvenation by division every 3-4 years.
Planting irises correctly
The time window opens at the end of July to plant irises in the bed. Plant the tubers in a sunny, protected location in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil until October. Follow these steps:
- Create small pits 2-3 centimeters deep at a distance of 25 to 40 centimeters
- Enrich the excavation with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or guano
- Insert one rhizome with downward-facing roots
- Half of the tuber must still be visible
Compact the soil with your hands and water. If you plant irises in a circular arrangement in the bed, the flower will be particularly decorative.read more
Care tips
Professionally planted in the optimal location, the flower requires little care. A well-rooted iris is content with natural rainfall and a minimal amount of nutrients. The details at a glance:
- Watering the flower in summer drought
- In March/April at the start of the season, fertilize with compost, horn shavings or guano
- In case of deficiency symptoms, fertilize again organically
- Cut off a wilted flower up to 10 cm above the ground
- Don't remove the leaves until autumn
Rejuvenation by division is recommended every 3 to 4 years so that each individual flower retains its vitality for a long time.
Which location is suitable?
The central criterion for choosing a location for all iris species is a sunny, wind-protected location with as many hours of sunshine as possible per day. Exceptions confirm the rule, such as the Siberian meadow iris, which prefers a partially shaded place. This is followed by the requirements for soil conditions, which must be determined appropriately for the preferred variety. This is how you are right:
- Fresh-moist to sandy-dry soil
- Rich in nutrients and humus
- Good water drainage
- Neutral to slightly calcareous pH value
Due to its voluminous bulb, the elegant flower is only suitable for the pot if it is a dwarf iris. In this case, use a high-quality compost-based potting soil as a substrate, enriched with sand or expanded clay.read more
What is the best time to plant?
The best time to plant irises is from July to September. The tuberous plant establishes itself in the sun-warmed soil in no time, so that it is deeply rooted in the soil in time for winter.read more
When is flowering time?
The central flowering period of irises extends from the beginning of May to mid/late June. At this time, the bearded iris (I. barbata-elatior) in particular shows what flower power it has, followed by the Japanese iris (I. kaempferi) in June and July. In the weeks before, in April, the small iris (I. barbata-nana) stretches its flowers towards the sun.read more
Cut the iris correctly
Cut the flower in two stages. First, cut the withered flower stalk 10 centimeters above the rhizome. The leaves remain on the plant until winter so that the remaining nutrients can be utilized. After the first frost, cut off the leaves close to the ground.read more
Fertilize irises properly
Fertilize your irises according to the minimal principle. This means that the nutrient supply is limited to an organic starter fertilization with compost, horn shavings or guano in March. If deficiency symptoms appear, such as yellowing leaves or stunted flowers, add another portion of compost. Complete mineral fertilizers are not suitable for nutrient supply as the high s alt content damages the sensitive tubers.read more
Propagate irises
The iris can be easily propagated by division. To do this, choose a date between the end of July and the beginning of October. How to do it right:
- Dig up the tuber completely with the spade
- Cut the rhizome into several segments with a sharp knife
- Cut the fan leaves with scissors so that they form a tapered triangle
- Additionally shorten the roots
Without any further delay, plant the tuber parts in the new location in such a way that half of the rhizome is visible.read more
How do I transplant correctly?
It acts like a rejuvenation treatment if you transplant the irises every 3-4 years. A day between the end of July and the beginning of October is best suited for this measure. This is how the process worked:
- Dig up the flower completely with the spade or digging fork
- Cut off young rhizome pieces from the old part with a knife
- A tuber segment must have at least one leaf fan
- Short the roots and trim the leaves into a wedge shape
Now select all plump, strong tuber pieces to plant in the new location. The most important criterion is that a rhizome is still visible after transplanting. Leave the leaves on the iris until the first frost so that the nutrients can be absorbed.read more
Is iris poisonous?
When it comes to assessing the poison content, the yellow iris, also known as the swamp iris, becomes the center of interest. This species is more common in the wild along bodies of water and is protected. That's a good thing, because there are pungent substances in their plant pathways that can cause nausea and vomiting if consumed. Since this flower doesn't taste particularly good, dogs, cats, horses and grazing livestock are particularly affected.read more
Iris not blooming
If the iris no longer blooms, the following vitalization treatment will give it fresh strength:
- Dig up the entire flower between July and October
- Cut off young parts that have grown back from the old rhizome
- A section has at least one fan leaf
- Shorten the leaves into a wedge shape and cut off roots that are too long
- Optimize the soil with compost and horn shavings (no complete fertilizer)
The leached tuber pieces are disposed of in the compost. Plant the fresh parts so that they are a little above the ground.read more
The iris in the garden
In the garden, an iris will perform at its best if you give the flower a sunny, airy location. The soil should be slightly calcareous, humus-rich and well-drained. Plant a tuber in a 3 centimeter deep hole between July and October. If the rhizome is still visible afterwards, you have done everything right. How to care for the flower in the garden with expertise:
- Water when dry
- In March/April fertilize with compost and horn shavings
- Cut off a wilted flower stem down to 10 cm
- Leave the leaves on the rhizome until winter
- Winter protection is not necessary
If the flower no longer blooms in the bed, dig up the tuber and separate the young segments with at least one fan leaf. Then replant the irises in the new location.read more
Planting the irises
As a bulbous plant, the iris requires a change in thinking if you want to plant the flower correctly. Only plant the rhizome deep enough in the soil that half or a third of it is still visible. This premise also applies to planting in containers. Finally, press the substrate firmly with your hands and water.read more
Share Iris
Dividing an iris is very easy. The weeks from the end of July to the beginning of October are considered the ideal time corridor for this measure. Dig up the flower's rhizome completely to break it up with the spade. Then cut the fan leaves into a wedge shape and shorten any root strands that are too long.
Plant the tuber segments again so that they are half or at least a third above the surface of the soil. It is important to note that the roots point downwards. They offer excellent growing conditions for a divided iris if the excavation of the planting hole is enriched with compost (€12.00 on Amazon) or guano.read more
The flower of the iris
The picturesque beauty of an iris flower comes from a unique combination of petals:
- Three upright standards
- Three elegantly hanging bracts, some with ruffled or fringed edges
- Some species have a hairy beard in the back of the flower
- A style with three small branches forms the pistil with the anthers
read more
Germinating the seeds of the iris
In order to encourage the seeds of an iris to germinate, the seed coat must first be cut off down to the embryo. Then subject the light germinators to a cold treatment lasting 4-5 weeks in the cold house or in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator. Germination then begins in a partially shaded location at room temperature. It takes between 3 and 6 years for the first flower to bloom.
Sowing iris seeds
The seeds of an iris can be sown throughout the year. If you're a hobby gardener who doesn't shy away from the challenge, follow these steps:
- Soak the seeds in water for 4-5 days
- Then use a razor blade to cut into the seed coat up to the embryo
- Fill small pots with vermiculite or sand
- Insert the seeds with the visible embryo
- Place in the vegetable compartment of the fridge for 4-5 weeks
If you then place the sowing at room temperature, you can look forward to the first seedlings after a few days.read more
The irises in autumn
In autumn, wait until the leaves of an iris have completely wilted. Until then, the tuber absorbs the remaining nutrients in order to create a depot for the next season. Then remove all leaves with secateurs. Do not cover the flower with fleece or leaves in autumn. The iris is completely hardy.read more
Is the iris hardy?
An iris is completely hardy. No special precautions are required to protect against frost and snow. A cover causes damage to the flower as the rhizome could rot.read more
The most beautiful varieties
- Champagne Elegance: ruffled petals in delicate apricot and ivory-colored dome radiate inimitable elegance
- Fuji’s Mantle: impresses with blue-lined hanging leaves and bright white dome in May and June
- Jazz Festival: two-tone, wavy flowers in cream and purple pink surround an orange beard
- Superstition: a high bearded iris with spectacular, black-blue tones for the highest level of extravagance
- Diamond: the pure white flower for damp locations and large containers
- Florentina: a traditional flower whose light blue blossoms exude a delicate violet scent
- Argentea Variegata: the variety surprises with white striped foliage and lavender-blue scented flowers
- Berlin Tiger: sensational flower with a tiger look, thanks to yellow-brown veined flowers
- Little Rosy Wings: magnificent dwarf iris for beds and containers with ruby-red flowers from April