How To Grow Bearded Iris

Snake Fence at Red Rock!

How To Grow Bearded Iris

When to Plant:
For best results plant in July-Oct

Where to Plant:
Full Sun/Part Shade with good drainage is the best for your iris.

Soil Preparation:

Iris are amazing-they will grow nearly anywhere! However, they do best in well drained garden soil. For heavy clay you can add coarse sand or humus. Gypsum is an excellent soil conditioner that can improve most clay soils. The ideal pH is 6.8-slightly acidic, which is why they do so well with pine trees around. To adjust the pH, you can use lime to increase acidity of your soil or sulfur to increase the alkaline in your soil. Remember, it is best to test your soil so that you know what your soil might need.

Depth to Plant:

Plant iris so the top of the rhizomes are exposed and the roots are spread out facing downward in the soil. In very light soils or in extremely hot climates, covering the rhizome with 1 inch of soil may be desirable. Firm the soil around each rhizome and water to settle the soil. Do not plant your iris too deep!

Distance Apart:

12-24 inches

Watering:

Newly planted iris need regular moisture to help their root systems become established. Once established they normally do not need to be watered heavily, if at all. Red Rock Farms is in a very hot, dry summer area and our iris are watered very little. Most people over-water their iris.

Fertilization:

Depends on your soil, but a ratio of 6-10-10 is fine. A light application in the early Spring and again 1 month after iris bloom is fine. Avoid using high nitrogen as it will encourage rot problems.

General Garden Care:

Keep beds clean allowing tops of the rhizomes to bask in the sun. Bloom stems should be cut off close to the ground after blooming. Healthy green leaves should be left undisturbed, but diseased and/or brown leaves need to be removed.

Here at Red Rock our Iris are fertilized on a regular basis by live chickens, who also help with the bugs. We hesitate to recommend this however (unless you really like chickens) because they will occasionally uproot entire iris plants in their search for bugs.