Backyard Gardening – How to Grow Irises
Are you looking for a summer blooming perennial that is hardy and attracts butterflies?
There are so many reasons to add this beautiful summer blooming flower to your garden. Reasons like,
- The many colors this flower comes in,
- It’s a perennial,
- It’s hardy and easy to grow,
- and it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.
In addition to all of that, this flower also looks great on your kitchen table. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac there are around 300 different species of Iris but there is one that is more famous above all the rest, the bearded irises.
Bearded irises are the ones that grow up to 28 inches, they have three larger outer petals and three inner petals. You can choose a wide variety of colors like pink, yellow, orange, blue, purple, and white. While some bearded irises can bloom in the late summer, they are most likely to bloom in the early summer.
How to Plant and Grow Irises
- Planting for Irises should be done in the mid-late summer.
- Plant them in a location where they can receive plenty of sun and no other flower shades them. Better Homes and Gardens recommends 6 hours of sun light a day.
- Make sure to plant them in rich-well drained soil.
- Organic Gardening recommends to barely cover the rhizome when planting. Also make sure you point the “leafy end” in whatever direction you want it to grow.
- Group the irises together in groups of three to five and space the groups about 2 feet apart.
- Install aeration tubes to help the roots establish themselves.
Tips on Growing Irises
- Make sure not to add mulch to your irises because too much moisture will actually rot the rhizomes.
- Don’t forget to prune back the foliage in the fall.
- Every 3 to 5 years in the late summer divide your irises.
Summary
Don’t forget to add this beautiful summer flower to your garden. It’s easy to grow and makes the perfect addition.
