Bearded Iris Planting Guide
When To Plant
Planting in Late Summer
Late Summer is the perfect time to plant Bearded Iris rhizomes. They get a chance to establish their roots in your garden before the winter season and will produce significant growth in the spring, often blooming in the first season. You will want to plant Bearded Irises in summer as soon as you receive them, as they need to establish their root growth before winter. The more time you can give them before the end of your growing season, the better.
Planting in Early Spring
Bearded Iris are harvested and shipped as potted plants in the early spring, and can be planted as you would in the summer (making sure to leave the tops exposed).
Where to Plant
Bearded Iris prefer at least 6-8 hours of sunlight a day. In hot climates (zones 8-11), they will tolerate 4-6 hours of sun. Make sure your Iris get some shade during the day in hotter climates. Bearded Iris prefer to be planted in well-drained soil. To improve drainage, they can be planted on a slope or in a raised bed.
What To Expect
How To Plant: Soil Prep & Depth
The most common mistake made when planting Bearded Iris is planting them too deep. Planting too deep will result in few or no flowers.
Basic Planting Steps
Step 1: Build up a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole.
Step 2: Center the rhizome in the mound, roots down, and then bury it about 75%, leaving the top exposed.
Step 3: Firm the soil around the roots. Newly planted rhizomes should be watered thoroughly.
Watch our How to Plant Bearded Iris Video
Other Bearded Iris Planting Tips
- The foliage arriving on your rhizomes is from this spring, and can be trimmed when you plant, but leave at least a few inches of old foliage on the rhizome. It will be replaced next spring with deep green leaves.
- Make sure to give your rhizomes a lot of water right after planting. This helps to remove any air pockets in the soil and gives Iris a better chance of strong growth.
- Once established, Bearded Iris do not require regular watering.
- We recommend planting 12-24 inches apart, as planting too close together results in poor flowering. Be sure to keep your garden free of weeds and other debris to give your Iris as much sun as possible
Aftercare
- Before flowering, water plants occasionally to keep the soil moist but not soaking. Reblooming Iris should be watered during the summer, while Spring-flowering Iris will tolerate drought.
- Plants that are growing well (good green foliage) may not need fertilizing. Reblooming Iris should be fertilized in the spring as new growth begins, and after spring flowering ends. If you fertilize, apply ½ cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer per Iris clump after flowering. Fertilizer can burn the rhizomes; it should be applied around but not directly on them.
- Iris respond to shallow (1 to 2 inches) cultivation and should not be mulched.
- After flowers fade, cut flower stalks back to an inch or two above the rhizome to prevent seed formation. For Reblooming Iris, after the second bloom fades in fall, cut leaves 6 to 8 inches from the ground, especially if foliage disease occurs
How to Divide Bearded Iris Rhizomes
After 3 to 5 years, Iris generally become crowded and should be divided. Iris can be divided at any time, but many growers prefer to divide 4 to 6 weeks after the flowering period.
Basic Steps to Divide
Step1: Cut the leaves to one third their length.
Step 2: Dig the clump of Iris up. Wash Soil off with a hose.
Step 3: Cut rhizomes apart so that each section has at least one healthy fan of leaves and firm, white roots. Older rhizomes should be discarded since they have limited flowering capacity. (New growth will protrude off an older rhizomes from the side.)
Reblooming Iris Notes
Re-blooming irises grow faster than regular irises, so unlike the standard bearded iris, you'll need to divide them more often. To prevent overcrowding, divide re-blooming iris every 2 to 3 years, take only the outside rhizomes of the plant. Leave the healthy older portions of the plant intact. Replant the small rhizomes 12 to 18 inches apart.
Re-blooming iris are not always guaranteed to bloom. It often depends on geographic location, soil and climate conditions. Re-blooming iris can also vary from year after year. They are heavy feeders, requiring a little more water and fertilizer because they need an extra boost to flower again. Re-bloomers require a little more care than the standard bearded iris, but are worth the effort.
Bearded Iris are some of the easiest, most rewarding perennials to grow and we hope that the varieties you purchased from us grow and thrive in your garden. Please remember, all of our plants are backed by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
To learn more about the different varieties of Irises, please read our in-depth article: All About Irises.
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A celebrated classic, 'Immortality' Reblooming Bearded Iris is famous the garden-world over for its fragrant, pure white blooms and soft yellow beards on each petal. Reblooming in la...
Learn MoreImmortality Reblooming Bearded Iris Immortality Reblooming Bearded Iris Iris germanica Immortality$18.98 Sale $12.99Per Plant - 3.5" PotA celebrated classic, 'Immortality' Reblooming Bearded Iris is famous the garden-world over for its fragrant, pure white blooms and soft yellow beards on each petal. Reblooming in late summer, 'Immortality' impresses with the overall volume of flowers it shares each season and looks great when planted in large groups. Very easy to grow, like other Bearded Iris this one is a tough, resilient plant that tolerates a variety of soils and requires little care from the gardener. Deer and rabbit resistant. (Iris germanica)Learn MoreMagic Man Bearded Iris adds cool tones to the early season garden with bi-color purple blooms. Plant this easy-to-grow iris in the border of your garden, along a walkway, stone wall ...
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Learn MoreNatchez Trace Bearded Iris Natchez Trace Bearded Iris Iris germanica Natchez Trace$18.98 Sale $12.99Per Plant - 3.5" Pot'Natchez Trace' Bearded Iris has fragrant ruffled orange standards, surrounded by deep crimson falls. A must-have for the mid-spring cutting garden, this unique iris is eye-catching both when planted in the garden and when featured in an arrangement. Swordlike foliage is attractive throughout the season and adds texture even when the plant is finished blooming. A very easy growing, low-maintenance plant. Deer and rabbit resistant. (Iris germanica)Learn More