Love irises but short on garden space?
The practice of “Companion Planting”, a centuries-old gardening tradition, follows the theory that different plant species, planted close together, assist each other with nutrient production and ab…
Being a beginner, if you are getting worried to aware of planting iris bulbs in pots, then no better destination than The Gardening Dad to get the perfect and easy method.
Bearded iris plants are prone to diseases and pests that damage the leaves. Learn when to cut back irises to keep them beautiful and healthy.
Check out these stunning companion plants for iris flowers for a colorful garden: columbine, salvia, peonies, lupines, allium, daylilies, and oriental poppies.
A blog about the iris world for all iris lovers.
Irises are one of the easiest and most beautiful flowers you can grow. Here is a guide on how to grow irises and how to propagate irises.
Siberian Irises are such easy, reliable perennials that I tend to take them a bit for granted. I have three different cultivars in my backyard; an indigo blue, a medium purple and a dark inky-blue. I planted them well before I began this blog and started keeping track of plant tags, so I am sorry but I won't be able to identify them for you. The most striking of the three is the deep navy blue iris my Mom gave me. The Siberian Irises you find in most gardens are a hybrid of two species iris; Iris sibirica and Iris sanguinea. The two species plants are found primarily in Central Europe and Asia. They grow in grassy meadows which become flooded by streams that surge with runoff from melting snow every spring. Siberian Irises bloom in mid-spring to early summer (in my zone 6b garden, that's early to mid-June). To be honest, I find their floral display is a bit brief for my liking (approximately 2 weeks) and their foliage can look a bit messy once they've flowered. On the plus side, Siberian Irises flower early in the gardening season when not much else is blooming. They are also relatively low maintenance. After weighing all these characteristics, I still think Siberian Irises are well worth having in your garden. Piper among the irises and self-seeded Sweet Rocket (mauve flower). A purple iris in my garden. The Siberian Iris I brought home from my Mom's garden. Here's a quick list of the growing requirements for Siberian Iris: Light Full sun is generally recommended for irises. In my garden, the Siberian Irises get morning sun with light afternoon shade and that seems to suit them just fine. I think this works well because conditions here are on the dry side and they get a break from the scorching sun on hot summer afternoons. In terms of the sunlight levels, it seems to be a delicate balancing act–if there was any more shade, I think my Siberian Irises would struggle to grow and bloom. Soil Siberian Irises flourish in soil that is rich in organic matter. They also prefer soil that is slightly acidic, they are remarkably adaptable to average garden soil. Planting Unlike bearded iris, Siberian Irises don't like to have their rhizomes exposed to sunlight. Instead, cover the rhizomes of bare-root plants with one to two inches of soil. If you purchase a Siberian Iris in a pot, the soil in the garden should be level with that in the pot. Place plants 1.5-2 feet apart. Water them and continue to provide water regularly in their first season. Fertilizer The Canadian Iris Society recommends an application of fertilizer early in the spring that is higher in nitrogen, followed by a balanced fertilizer at the end of the bloom cycle when the plant enters a growth phase. Moisture Fortunately for me, Siberian Irises like moisture in the spring but are adaptable to somewhat drier conditions in the summer. Providing adequate moisture throughout the growing season will, of course, encourage healthier, bigger clumps. If you top dress with a layer of organic matter, it will help conserve moisture and keep the soil cooler for your irises. Pests I have yet to experience a pest problem with any of my Siberian Irises. They seem to be much more resistant to disease than my bearded irises. While I have been lucky, Siberian Irises can sometimes fall victim to iris borer. Adult borers are nocturnal moths that lay their eggs on garden debris in late summer or fall. They hatch into one-inch sized larvae that chew their way into the leaves and eat their way down to the rhizomes. Borer damage is often seen as notched wounds or slimy, wet-looking areas on the foliage. Once they eat their way down to the base of the plant, they begin to hollow their way through the rhizomes. In August, they pupate in the soil and hatch into more adult moths. To deter this pest, keep the rhizomes of your Siberian iris clear of any debris throughout the growing season. Transplanting and Dividing Siberian iris can be left undisturbed for several years. You'll know it's time to divide your clump when fresh growth is less vigorous and there are fewer and fewer flowers. The time to divide older clumps is right after they flower. Over the years, my Siberian Irises have grown into huge clumps–so big I foolishly put off the hard work of digging them up and dividing them. Last spring I finally transplanted smaller pieces to the perimeter of what I hope will be our new pond. Clumps can be as small as 2 to 4 fan divisions. Don't let the exposed roots of your divisions dry out while you dig a new hole. Place them in a shallow bucket of water while you're working. When you plant the divisions, the rhizomes should be about an inch below the surface (slightly deeper in sandy soil). The time you want to spoil your plants with regular watering is right after you transplant the divisions. It will really help them get re-established in their new spot. Keep in mind that it may take as many as 6-8 weeks for them to settle in, so keep a regular watering regime going well into the summer. Growing Siberian Iris from Seed If you would like to grow Siberian Iris from seed, leave a few flowers to mature into seed pods. When the seed heads are ripe (in the early fall), they will open slightly at the top. Shell the seed pods. From here there are different ways to proceed. The easiest method is to sow the seeds directly in the fall. Seeds can also be stored in a cool dry place for the winter. I am going to defer to the experts on the Canadian Iris Society website when it comes to the subject of successful germination because it appears to be quite complicated. Here's a link to their advice. Cultivars Siberian Irises come in a wide range of colours; blue, purple, white, yellow, white, orange-brown and warm shades of pink or reddish-purple. Here's a quick look at some irises just to give you an idea of the wide range of colors available: Iris Sibirica 'High Standard' Iris Sibirica 'Strawberry Social' Iris Sibirica 'Ranman' Iris Sibirica 'Royal Herald' The Canadian Iris Society has a list of plant sources for both Canada and the US (scroll down a little when you get to the Society's webpage). Most nurseries will offer a limited selection in the spring. Mail-order sources offer the biggest array of plants but sadly, for those of you wanting to plant irises this spring, most of these companies do not ship until the fall. Companion Plants Siberian Irises look quite nice in groups of two or three complementary colors. Other companion plants should bloom mid-spring, like full sun to part shade and average to moist soil. A Siberian Iris (right) combined with a dark blue Salvia (centre foreground), a hardy geranium (lower left corner) and Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts' (see in detail below) at the Royal Botanical Garden in Hamilton. Knapweed, Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts' is a clump-forming perennial that has lavender-pink flowers and deeply cut grey-green leaves. It is quite happy in poor to average garden soil (it may require staking in rich soil). Deadhead the flowers to encourage reblooming. Attractive to butterflies. Full sun. Height: 50-60 cm (20-23 inches) Spread: 45-60 cm (18-23 inches). USDA zones: 3-9. An unknown type of Siberian Iris paired with a Ligularia and Allium 'Purple Sensation' Top row from left to right: Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbill) The short, rounded shape of hardy geraniums makes them a nice perennial to grow at the feet of a Siberian Iris. Full sun to part-shade. Lupins have tall floral spires in shades of pink, lavender, purple, red, maroon and white. They like full sun to light shade and moist, well-drained soil. Read more here. Columbine is a short-lived perennial that have an array of flower forms and colors. Full sun to light shade. Read more about them here. Bottom row from left to right: Hardy Salvias have vertical flower spikes on a bushy clump of grey-green leaves. Full sun and average to moist soil. Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla mollis has soft green foliage that sparkles with raindrops and sprays of chartreuse flowers. Full sun and average to moist soil. Peonies have big round blooms that contrast nicely with the smaller flowers of a Siberian Iris. Full sun and soil with average moisture. Siberian Iris (lower right) with Salvia (spikey navy flower in the middle), Crambe Martinia (lower left) and Knapweed, Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts' (behind the metal bench). Some gardeners will tell you Fumitory is a nuisance self-seeder, but it is easy to pull out where unwanted. It makes a nice companion at the foot my Siberian Iris. Plant type: Perennial Height: 2.5-3.5 ft Spread: 2-2.5 ft Flower: blue, purple, white, yellow, brown, orange shades and warm shades of pink or reddish-purple Bloom period: Spring Leaf: Silvery blue-green to fresh green Light: Full sun/ light afternoon shade Growing conditions: Moist, rich, somewhat acidic soil Move or Divide: In spring after they flower Problems: Iris Borer USDA Zones: 3-8 I think you'll find the Siberian irises are a wonderful addition to the garden mid-spring. Bookmark this post with a PIN.
Are you Iris finished blooming? Iris care after bloom is essential for fabulous blooms next year, discover how easy it is!
Check out this great guide for planting and caring for your Irises. These hardy flowers are great for low maintenance gardening.
Want to grow stunning irises?
When Do Irises Bloom - If you are scratching your head with this question, well, we'll tell you about these flowers in detail!
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Bearded iris plants are prone to diseases and pests that damage the leaves. Learn when to cut back irises to keep them beautiful and healthy.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who actually bought irises to plant in their garden, like you would roses or rhododendrons. Come to think of it, every iris grower I’ve ever talked to came
Irises grow from a rhizome, a form of modified stem that creeps along the ground just beneath the surface. Irises have a fat, fleshy rhizome for storing water and starch, which contributes to their durability.
Are you looking to add a burst of color and texture to your garden? Look no further than iris flower beds! These vibrant and hardy plants are perfect for
Every year around this time I start thinking of the beautiful blooms in the garden beds throughout the yard. I get anxious for warmer weather, and just thinking of the explosion of color that takes place is exciting. I love to see little sprouts break through the soil and plants breaking their dormancy. The hard work and months of planning and waiting are well worth it. When I organize my garden beds, I plan with several things in mind: Color, texture, form, and hardiness. I love perennials, and most of my beds are filled with these plants, that come back year after year. I like plants that require minimal care and are vigorous. Since I make arrangements each week through bloom season, I also take into account the plant's vase life. By planting early, mid and late spring bloomers, a long bloom season can also be accomplished. Here are some of my favorite beds:
As an avid gardener, I've always been drawn to the captivating beauty of iris plants. There's just something so regal and enchanting about their vibrant
A successful Iris garden, or any garden for that matter, begins with proper preparation. As we lovingly pack your Iris for shipment, it’s time for you to prepare your beds for planting. Keep these …
Iris is a perennial flowering plant that blooms for many years. There are also reblooming irises. In general, flowers come in almost every color. They are
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Do you want to know how to plant Iris bulbs correctly? It is very easy, so let's learn how to plant bearded Irises for the best flowering
Have an overgrown clump of irises in the garden? Learn how to divide irises and replant, as well as know when they're ready to be divided.
Timing is the most critical aspect of iris transplantation. Digging and dividing bearded Iris is best done in the late summer to early fall. Because the
Are you looking to add a burst of color and texture to your garden? Look no further than iris flower beds! These vibrant and hardy plants are perfect for
Siberian Iris is a lovely herbaceous perennial that adds a beautiful decorative element and an essential component to every garden.
Iris Seed Propagation is easy to do but it takes a longer time to propagate and get blooms. Learn the various methods to propagate iris from seeds effectively.
Unleash the magic of planting the Iris in your garden. This guide covers everything from planting tips and soil prep to watering & sunlight needs.
Learn how to draw an Iris Flower with this step-by-step guide. Master the art of sketching and shading to create a beautiful botanical illustration. Perfect for beginners and experienced artists alike.
There are many places to plant iris, but the best place may depend on your climate and soil type. If you live in a temperate climate, you may want to plant
Irises may need full sun or shade based on their location. Typically, Irises need full sunlight to thrive and provide the best results. They can also grow well in partial shade or dappled light. Too much shade can cause irises to become floppy and weak, and they may not bloom as well.
Are you looking to add a burst of color and texture to your garden? Look no further than iris flower beds! These vibrant and hardy plants are perfect for
Irises may need full sun or shade based on their location. Typically, Irises need full sunlight to thrive and provide the best results. They can also grow well in partial shade or dappled light. Too much shade can cause irises to become floppy and weak, and they may not bloom as well.
