Bearded iris are well adapted to garden planting as well as being used in borders and flower beds. They may be planted in clumps by themselves or used in conjunction with other flowers. Iris prefer a well drained sunny location. Where heavy, poorly drained soils are a problem, you can raise the soil level slightly to provide the necessary drainage. Prepare the beds a week to ten days before planting to allow the soil enough time to settle. Deep spading assures an ideal planting bed for iris.

Iris grow from a peculiar form of root called a rhizome. This is a fleshy underground stalk from which the true roots extend. These rhizomes branch and in time overgrow and crowd each other so much that iris clumps must be dug and divided every three to four years. Late July or early August is the best time to dig and divide.

Each iris division should be reduced to a single section of the rhizome with a single fan of leaves. Always discard any of the divisions, which are weak or diseased. When planting your iris divisions, set them in a hole large enough to easily accommodate the attached fibrous roots. The top of the rhizomes should be about at soil level. Firm the soil down well around the divisions. Then you should cut the plant tops back to 6 inches high and water in well.

This page was last updated May 2003

Go to Information Page

Go to Horticulture Page