Farming x100 Iris Flowers (2025)

FAQs

Are iris flowers hard to grow? ›

Garden irises are hardy, long-lived perennials that need a minimum of care. They are an established “backbone” of home gardens because they bloom when few other plants do—after spring-flowering bulbs and before peonies, delphinium and phlox.

Bearded Irises are some of the most popular perennials in gardens throughout the world, and we're not surprised! The endless array of colors and sizes makes them a versatile and show-stopping element of any garden. They are loved by many because they are easy to grow, deer-resistant, they multiply each year.

Harvest irises in the pencil stage, when roughly half an inch of the colored tip is visible. Pull the entire plant from the soil, including the bulb. Remove the bulbs as well as any yellow or disfigured foliage. Sort the stems according to their length and uniformity, and bundle them into groups of 10.

The number of blooms you will get later in the season varies on variety and local conditions. Here is how rebloomers work: The rhizome of an iris can produce only one flower stem and it usually takes an entire year to mature and bloom.

Watering: Most irises do not like to be overly wet. Consistently water deeply, particularly during dry spells in summer. Fertilizing: Irises do not require much fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) can be applied once in early spring before new growth emerges.

Late July through mid August is the best time to plant, move or divide iris. Iris is one of the most popular perennials in the garden and easy to grow. Although they provide pleasure for many years with little care, periodic dividing is an important cultural practice for maintaining plant health.

If not divided, the plants become overcrowded and flower production decreases. Crowded plants are also more prone to foliar diseases.

The black iris is one of the rarest flowers in the world, and displays a very unique mix of colours, it is characterised by a dark purple almost black colour' with a mesmerizing Lilac hue and a white spot in the middle of the flower.

Iris Care: Deadheading

After your irises have bloomed, remove the dead blossoms. This prevents the plants from using up their energy in ripening the seed heads. If your irises stop producing blooms, they may have become overcrowded. Dig up the bulbs in early fall and separate them before replanting.

Should Iris Bulbs be Soaked Before Planting? You don't need to soak bulbs before planting. For irises grown from rhizomes, soaking may make the roots a little more pliable for planting.

How do you get seeds from iris flowers? ›

About two months after pollination, the seed pod will turn brown and split open. Harvest the golden brown seeds in a small paper cup, and allow them to dry out for a couple more months.

Iris 'Dauntless' (Bearded Iris)

Perfectly shaped flowers beautifully held on tall stems and lasting over a long season earned this Tall Bearded Iris the most prestigious award of the American Iris Society, the Dykes Medal in 1929.

Iris will produce more blooms if a few simple rules are followed. First, irises need lots of sun (at least 6 hours a day) to flower well. Also, they need well-drained soil (add compost to condition the soil and make nutrients available).

Multiplying perpetually, there is no limit on a bearded iris' lifespan. They rarely if ever need fertilizer. They tolerate a wide range of soil types. In dry-summer climates they're highly resistant to disease.

Iris need at least a half day of sun. In extremely hot climates some shade is beneficial, but in most climates Iris do best in full sun. Be sure to provide your Iris with good drainage, planting either on a slope or in raised beds.

These perennials return reliably year after year. Irises usually have basal leaves in two ranks — linear to sword-shaped — often resembling a fan, arising from a thick rootstock (or rhizome), from fibrous roots, or, in some species, from a flower bulb.

For Iris to bloom consistently, they need full sun, good drainage, lots of space, and quality soil. To improve your chances of bloom, add fertilizer and divide large clumps. Only 60-75% of Iris bloom the first year after planting. Sometimes they need an extra year to become established.