| Common Name | Bearded iris, German iris |
| Genus | Iris |
| Species | x germanica |
| Family | Iridaceae |
| Life Cycle | Herbaceous perennial herb |
| Bundle Size | 10 rhizomes per bundle |
| Care |
All of these plants will ship to you from Vermont in early April. They will be just coming out of dormancy. You may see swelling buds or a bit of new growth, but in general they will be in a dormant state and may look a little dead. Don't worry! They will wake up. Many bearded iris rhizomes are infected with virus. These Dutch grown rhizomes have been cleaned from virus, increasing their vigor and overall beauty. |
| Netting / Staking | None |
| Hardiness | Zones 3-10 |
| Spacing | 9-12" or more. Closer spacing will require more frequent division. |
| Soil Preference | Grows best in well-drained soil. Will struggle in heavy clay soils. Do not mulch, as Iris prefer drier soil. Leaving the rhizomes partially exposed to the sun will increase flowering the following year. They are well adapted to dry summer conditions. |
| Light |
Iris grow best in full sun. Some varieties will tolerate part shade. |
| Water | Water 3 times a week after planting rhizomes for a few weeks, then allow the rain to irrigate. Ensure well-drained soil or iris rhizomes will rot. Once established water only in extremely dry periods. |
| When to Plant | Spring, when the ground is workable and danger of frost has passed. |
| Harvesting | Harvest in early morning, or evening after the sun has gone down. Look for stems with 3-5 buds that are showing 1-2 inches of color. Uncolored buds may not open after harvest. Do not cut foliage when harvesting stems. |
| Post Harvest Care |
Wrap cut stems in paper to keep buds intact and store dry in the cooler in a closed cardboard box When ready to use, remove the stems from the cooler, cut on an angle with a sharp knife and stand stems up in water. Buds should be open in 1-2 days. Irises will last longer in the vase if they are recut daily, with frequent water changes. Flowers are fragile and every effort should be made to allow them to open in their final destination. Clean off spent flowers as new buds open. |
| Diseases / Insects | Major insect pest is the iris borer. Disease issues include bacterial soft rot, crown rot fungus, and fungal leaf spot. |
| Bailey's Notes | A fragile fleeting beauty. They are seldom grown on a large scale for export, making them an ideal local flower. Best sold closed and inserted into an arrangement that will not be transported after the flower begins to open. |
| Resources |
North Carolina Extension Gardeners Plant Toolbox |