Flower Focus: Iris

The iris is a beautiful flowering plant that requires little care. Not only is the iris easy to maintain, it can add charm to any garden. The scientific name of the genus is also iris but different species have different names. For instance, the blue flag iris is called iris versicolor, and the crested iris is known as iris cristata. The word “iris” means rainbow and true to its name, the iris blooms in a variety of colors like blue, purple, pink, yellow, orange, brown or red. There are over 200 varieties with the bearded iris and the Siberian iris being most common. Each species requires a different habitat but it is most commonly found in the Northern temperate regions.

Classification

Irises can be largely classified into rhizome irises and bulbous irises and each of these groups can be further classified. The rhizome is the thick fleshy part root part of the plant which is planted in the soil. These types of irises are the popular ones and they are further divided into bearded iris and beardless iris.

Bearded Iris

The bearded iris requires perfect drainage and there should be no water stagnation. If the soil is too wet or heavy, then raised beds filled with sand can be used to ensure the water drains out. The soil needs to be neutral or alkaline for the plant to grow well. Plant the rhizome at the end of July or August and ensure that they get adequate sun. Since there should be no water stagnation, standing stone walls are a good option for the bearded iris. These iris need to be planted just below the surface with roots well spread out. Ensure that the rhizome is adequately covered in soil but it’s important not to smother it. Water it just enough as too much water will cause the plant to rot. Over watering the bearded iris is a common mistake.

Beardless Iris

The Iris Germanica, also known as beardless iris, has six petals in total. Three stand straight while three fall down with a white line down the center. The bearded iris gets its name from the bushy beards on the lower petals of the flower. It is classified into the miniature dwarf, the standard dwarf, intermediate, border, the miniature tall, and the tall iris, depending on the height the plant reaches.

The beardless iris is very common in Asia. There are different varieties, namely, the Spurias, the Siberians, Japanese Iris, Dutch Iris, Yellow flag iris, and more. Some of the common types of beardless iris found in America are the Louisiana Iris, the Crested Iris, the Blue Flag Iris, and the Pacific Coast Natives. These are low maintenance plants and require very minimal care.

Cultivation of Beardless Iris

The beardless iris requires moist soil to thrive and it is tolerant to shady areas. An ideal plant for rain or water gardens, it does not need to be dug up and cared for frequently. It should be planted in early spring or fall and the roots should always be kept moist. The beardless iris should be planted deeper than the bearded iris. It requires large amounts of water in the initial few days after planting. The beardless iris does not like being disturbed so it’s best to plant it in a place where it will not be moved or dug up often.

Bulbous Iris

The Bulbous Iris is a smaller variety of the iris with a rootstock which is shaped like a bulb. It is one of the first flowers to bloom in the garden but it requires a period of rest where it remains dormant for a while before blooming again. Similar to the bearded iris, the bulbous iris requires less water and it needs to be planted in light soil where excess water is drained easily.

More Tips & Tricks

Always keep the plants free of weeds and separate them when they begin to cluster or crowd, which prevents proper growth. During winter, it is essential to cover the soil with straw, pine needles or leaves to prevent the cold from seeping in too much. Planting early will ensure that the roots are well established so they cannot be damaged easily by the cold. If you feel the plants are not blooming so well, you can try to dig and divide them. Most importantly, irises should not be kept crowded, watered too much or overfed.

• The American Iris Society
• Dwarf Lake Iris
• Yellow Iris Factsheet
• Iris Genus
• Western Iris
• Information on Iris Pseudacorus
• Bearded Iris for the Home
• The Basics of Growing Iris (PDF)
• Cultural Directions for Bearded Iris
• Questions on Iris