Signs include vertical streaks in the leaves. Iris borer, a common iris pest, overwinters as eggs in spent leaves.For winter protection, cover the rhizomes with an inch or two of sand topped with a light layer of evergreen boughs, applied after the ground freezes and removed when the forsythias bloom in the following spring.If iris foliage is hit with heavy frost, remove and destroy it to eliminate borer eggs.After a hard frost in the fall, cut foliage back hard, remove any foliage that appears spotted or yellowed, and dispose of all debris in the trash.Only prune off brown leaf tips, if desired. ![]() The plant’s foliage carries on with photosynthesis and generates energy for next year’s growth and flowers. After blooming is finished, cut flower stems down to their base to discourage rhizome rot, but do NOT trim the iris’ leaves.Deadhead (remove spent blooms) consistently. Bearded Irises flower sequentially on buds spaced along the stems.Taller irises may need staking, or they will fall over.If they’re covered with soil or crowded by other plants, they’ll rot. Unlike bulbs, which thrive deep underground, bearded iris rhizomes need a bit of sun and air to dry them out. Water consistently and deeply, especially during summer drought. Do not overwater irises too much moisture in the soil can cause the rhizomes to rot.Reblooming irises perform best if fertilized again after the first wave of flowering is finished. Fertilize in early spring, scratching an all-purpose fertilizer around the plants.In the early spring, remove winter mulch and any old foliage to allow for fresh, new growth.Do not mulch around the rhizome, as this may encourage rot.Over a period of years, they will form clumps divide when blooms get smaller and vigor declines. Soak Siberian iris rhizomes in water overnight before planting, then set them 1 inch deep (2 inches, if the soil is sandy), 2 feet apart.Plant singly or in groups of three, 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on the fully grown plant’s size.Fill in the hole and firm it gently, leaving part of the rhizome and the foliage uncovered. Make a ridge of soil down the middle and place the rhizome on the ridge, spreading the roots down both sides. Dig a hole 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep.In areas with particularly hot summers, set the rhizome just below the soil surface. Plant bare-root rhizomes (the thick stems) horizontally, with the top exposed and only the roots underground.It’s better to get them in the ground rather than wait until the “ideal” time. If you receive bare rhizomes or irises in a container at some point earlier in the year, go ahead and plant them as soon as convenient.Tall bearded iris varieties are best planted closer to fall because they tend to go dormant in early to mid-summer.This gives them plenty of time to get established before the coming winter. Plant most irises in late summer to early fall, when nighttime temperatures remain between 40° and 50☏ (4° and 10☌) or above.Good drainage is critical: Irises prefer “wet feet, but dry knees.” They will not tolerate wet soil in winter. Learn more about preparing soil for planting and organic soil amendments. Loosen soil to a depth of 12 to 15 inches, then mix in compost or aged manure. Provide well-draining, fertile, neutral to slightly acidic soil. Bearded irises must not be shaded out by other plants many do best in a special bed on their own. Without enough light, they won’t bloom well. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it’s not ideal. Irises will bloom best in full sun, meaning at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day. Irises attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and make lovely cut flowers. For iris companions in the garden, look to roses, peonies, and lilies. The blooming period of Siberian irises tends to follow that of the bearded types. Some-mostly bearded hybrids-are remontant, meaning they may flower again later in the summer. Most irises flower from late spring to early summer. The hairs on crested types, like the Siberian iris, form a comb or ridge instead. Bearded iris are so-called because they have soft hairs along the center of their falls. Irises may be a bearded or crested (aka “beardless”) type. Their distinctive six-petaled flowers have three outer hanging petals (called “falls”) and three inner upright petals (called “standards”). ![]() The most familiar irises are the tall bearded irises (Iris germanica), which reach 2 to 3 feet in height. More than 250 species make up the genus Iris. Learn all about planting, growing, and caring for iris flowers. Despite its divine origins, this beautiful flower is rugged, reliable, and easy to grow. The tall, beautiful iris, named after the Greek goddess who rode rainbows, comes in many magical colors.
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