Who doesn’t love a beautiful iris plant? It’s one of the first plants to
bloom in the spring and it is rugged, reliable and very easy to grow.
The iris is named for Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbows and
personal messenger for the Gods. It is a long lived perennial that
needs a minimum amount of care.
There are almost 250 species of iris and they come in a multitude of
colors. With many different types and colors available, there is a
perfect iris for every garden. The most popular iris is the bearded iris.
Other popular varieties include Siberian and Japanese irises, Louisiana
irises (which are native to North America), and Dutch hybrids.
Bearded iris get their name from the “beard” that runs down the center
of the cascading petal.
The rhizomes need sun and air to keep them
dry. If they are covered with soil or mulch there is a chance the plant
will rot. Some say to plant the bearded iris rhizomes “with their face
in the sun” leaving the upper part of the rhizome exposed.
Iris plants need at least 6 hours but preferably 8 hours of direct sun.
The best time to plant iris is early fall. This will give the plant enough
time to settle into the ground and start rooting before the first frost.
They should be planted 12–18 inches apart. If you have different
types of iris cultivars, plant each type together in groups of 3 to 7
plants for a greater color impact.
After iris plants have finished blooming, cut the flower’s stem down to
the base but do not trim the leaves. The plant’s foliage carries on with
photosynthesis in order to generate energy for next year’s growth and
flowers. It is best to divide iris plants in the fall.
We are lucky at Raincatcher’s Garden to have the most beautiful
collection of iris so I hope you enjoy the photos taken at the garden.
Or better yet, visit the garden in the near future and see these beauties
in person! If you have iris in your garden, share them with friends and
neighbors and help spread the joy of iris!
Jackie James
Dallas Master Gardener Class of 1993
DALLAS GARDEN BUZZ 