A FEW GROWING TIPS

Ideally bearded iris should be grown in full sun, or receive at least half a day’s sun, and prefer a well drained soil. They can be grown in part shade but the heavier the shade the less likely they are to flower.

When planted, the top of the rhizome should be virtually level with the top of the ground so that it is exposed to some sunlight. The easiest way to plant is to form a small mound in the middle of the hole you have dug for the iris and sit the rhizome on this mound so the roots spread down each side of the mound. It is then easy to fill dirt in and around the roots and rhizome.

Dependent on the desired end result rhizomes can be planted within 10cm-20cm of each other for a quickly established clump, or further apart if required. The further apart the rhizomes are the longer it will be before the clump needs dividing. Clumps ideally should be divided every three or four years in order to discard the older non-productive rhizomes and to make space for the others to grow.

Water in well and water weekly during the hottest months. Do not mulch - as well as keeping the sun off the rhizome it may also retain moisture around the rhizome which could lead to rhizome rot and ultimate loss of the plant.

Some all purpose fertilizer can be added to the soil at planting time. (Best planting time for optimum spring flowering is November to March.) In August a feed with a high potassium/phosphorous fertiliser (low nitrogen) or fortnightly watering of Phostrogen will assist flowering.

Irises will probably thrive with none of the above attention but, as with all plants, the more care the better the result.

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This page last updated on 14 Jul 2008