The aim of the blog is to share our knowledge of what to plant, what is flowering and what you should be doing to prepare for the next planting season!
Learn about Bearded Iris
Tall bearded irises are one of the most favourite perennials that will flower in your garden in early summer. They are ideal as single blooms in the flowerbeds or grown together as clumps. Bearded irises are available in many colours and colour combinations, so whether you prefer single colours, bi-colours or colour combinations you will find a bearded iris for any scheme. We only provide a small selection of those available, but if you require something that’s not shown just let us know and we will see if we can get them for you.
Cultivation
Tall bearded irises prefer partial shade to full sun and grow best on a free draining soil. Before planting prepare the soil to a depth of about 12” if possible and add to this some well-rotted compost. Plant the rhizome with the top above the soil surface and no deeper than 3cms. Planting with the rhizome exposed does help with flowering as the rhizomes benefit from a good soaking of sun on them. Ensure newly planted irises are kept moist but not over watered. In future years fertilise lightly in early spring.
Flowering
After flowering, prune the iris in the summer months or when the foliage starts to fall over. Use a pair of secateurs to trim the foliage back to 20cms to 30cms above the soil level.
Over wintering
Most bearded iris need to be lifted and split every 3 to 5 years at this time only the younger rhizomes should be retained (these are normally found on the periphery of the clump). The best time to lift the rhizomes and split is about 4 to 6 weeks after flowering when the new rhizomes are putting on new growth.
Tips
Do not mulch over the rhizomes at any time.
Only replant strong healthy rhizomes after you have split them.
