Where Should Iris Be Planted

Many irises will grow in total shade but they most likely won t flower.

Where should iris be planted. If purchased as a bare rhizome soak the rhizome in water for a few minutes before planting. Water plants in well. At 1 to 3 feet tall and. The spectacular bearded iris grows from a rhizome a lumpy looking mass of root that likes to sit right on the surface of the soil.

Bearded iris can be planted in autumn or spring. An iris plant has a thick fleshy root called a rhizome. For bare root irises plant the rhizome horizontally with the top exposed. This location should receive a good deal of sunlight and should be well draining.

For best results an iris should be planted in a sunny spot with well drained soil. This is important enough to repeat. If planting in a poorly drained soil dig in some horticultural grit to improve drainage. The rhizome is where most of the nutrients for the iris are stored.

Their tops must be planted slightly beneath the soil. Beardless irises also have fibrous rooted rhizomes. In climates with hot summers plant the rhizome just below the soil surface. So that is how deep you should plant bearded iris bulbs.

However in extremely hot climates or with very light soils cover rhizomes with up to one inch of soil. Some varieties will tolerate part shade such as siberian irises and pacific coast natives iris innominata iris tenax iris macrosiphonand iris douglasiana. Plant your iris rhizomes in the soil making sure to keep them close to the surface. Plant your rhizomes at or just barely below the surface of the ground.

Next plant the iris rhizomes in the selected location. If you ve bought potted plants make sure they re planted at the same depth as they were in the pot. As with bearded varieties and especially in mediterranean climate zones beardless iris. I have been battling voles this year.

Dig a hole where the rhizome will settle into the ground just below the ground level. The rhizome should be closer to the surface of the soil than the rest of the root system. Plant rhizomes singly or in groups of three 1 to 2 feet apart depending on the size. Position the rhizome facing south if possible.

Irises should be planted so the tops of the rhizomes are visible and the roots are spread out facing downwards in the soil. A north american native the southern blue flag iris iris virginica also known as virginia iris grows vigorously in medium to wet soils in usda zones 5 through 9. The rhizomes should be planted in late summer in a well drained sunny spot. Irises need full sun at least half the day.

If planting several iris near each other point the rhizomes away from each other and space them 18 inches 45 5 cm apart. Dig a shallow hole 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep.