
You want to avoid having shorter iris varieties that get too much shade from nearby taller plants. They can grow in locations with partial sun, but their blooms will not be as prolific.Īlso, keep in mind the height of other flowers and plants growing in the same location when you go to plant your iris roots. Irises require a minimum of at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to produce blooms and thrive.
#Planting iris full
This will help to provide the roots with a boost of nutrients and get them started on the right path without resorting to synthetic fertilizers.īe sure to download the Iris At-A-Glance planting and growing guide (see end of the article).īe sure to choose a location that receives full sun. You should amend the soil with plenty of compost prior to planting. Avoid planting in locations where there tends to be standing water after rains. While iris roots aren’t particular about what type of soil they grow in, they must have well-draining soil in order to prevent root rot.
#Planting iris how to
How To Plant, Grow, And Maintain Iris Roots Location Site for Iris Roots Japanese Iris and Siberian Iris are two popular groups of beardless irises. The rhizome of beardless irises is normally smaller than bearded iris varieties. Beardless IrisĪs you can probably guess, beardless irises are essentially the same as bearded with the exception that they are missing the beard. Tall Bearded Iris and Dwarf Bearded Iris are the two main types of bearded iris plants. It typically contrasts with the petal colors and is almost like a thick red carpet beckoning pollinators to fly right on up. Bearded IrisĪn iris beard is a small raised mass of tiny hairs that spills out from above the base of the bottom petals. From white, purple, burgundy, blue, red, pink, yellow, cream, orange, and even black – There’s an iris flower color for you! They all make great additions to other fall-planted flowers like crocus, allium, daffodils, and lilies. These groups can be broken down even further based on their blooming season, so be sure to do some research before purchasing your iris roots.īoth types feature a variety of colors and petal shapes. Rhizome irises are typically broken down into either bearded or beardless varieties. The yellow fuzzy part coming out of the middle of this iris is the “beard.” It almost looks like a hairy tongue. As the plants age, their rhizomes expand and continue to send off new rhizomes under the soil line.

In turn, the rhizomes allow the plant to send up stems above the ground that produce foliage and the iris blooms. The rhizomes help to absorb and store nutrients and water. The roots bury down while the top of the rhizome is usually exposed just above the soil line. Essentially, rhizomes are thick stems that grow horizontally in the soil. The majority of irises that are available grow from rhizomes. Bulb irises are a bit harder to come by and are not as popular of a choice for home gardeners. An example of a bulbous iris would be Dutch Iris. They are all mainly categorized into two types: those that grow from rhizomes or those that grow from bulbs.īulb irises are typically smaller in stature and height than other varieties of iris plants. There are over 300 different varieties of irises. Continue reading to find out everything you need to know in order to plant, grow, and care for this hardy and timeless flower. In addition, you can grow iris flowers in flowerbeds and gardens as well as in pots and containers for a dramatic display anywhere you’d like. That makes it a perfect easy-to-grow plant for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.


Not only is this flowering perennial drought-resistant, but it can handle all sorts of different growing conditions. Iris flowers add texture and amazing colors to your home spaces.
