Plant These Irises to Grow Florist-Style Blooms
Dutch, Spanish, English and reticulata irises — ‘true’ bulbs in the iris world — are worthy additions for spring color
Though shorter than their bearded and beardless iris cousins, bulbous irises shouldn’t be overlooked when it comes to planning your spring bulb garden. Dutch irises are probably the best known, but Spanish, English and reticulata irises need similar care and should also be considered. All of these are true bulbs and fit easily into the garden and containers. Look for bulbs in early fall and plant when they first appear in nurseries.
Caution: Iris bulbs are toxic to people and pets.
Caution: Iris bulbs are toxic to people and pets.
How to use them. Plant where they won’t be overshadowed by taller spring blooms and where their fading foliage can be masked by later-emerging perennials and annuals. They naturalize readily and do well in rock gardens. Both Dutch iris hybrids and Spanish iris are excellent container plants and make lovely cut flowers.
How to plant. Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Set bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep, pointed side up, and 5 to 6 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water when plants are growing and blooming. After blooming, allow the foliage to turn yellow before gently removing it; if it’s not easy to pull out the foliage, wait a couple of weeks.
These irises need to be kept completely dry in summer. If the area gets summer rain or irrigation, dig up the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area and replant in fall. Another option is to treat them as annuals. If you grow them as perennials, dig and divide when the blooms start to fade.
How to plant. Plant in a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Set bulbs 3 to 4 inches deep, pointed side up, and 5 to 6 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water when plants are growing and blooming. After blooming, allow the foliage to turn yellow before gently removing it; if it’s not easy to pull out the foliage, wait a couple of weeks.
These irises need to be kept completely dry in summer. If the area gets summer rain or irrigation, dig up the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area and replant in fall. Another option is to treat them as annuals. If you grow them as perennials, dig and divide when the blooms start to fade.
Photo by denisbin
English Iris
Botanical name: Iris latifolia
Origin: Pyrenees
Bloom season: Early summer
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Mature size: Stems reach 1½ feet tall with blooms, two per stem, that are sllghtly bigger than those of Dutch and Spanish iris
Water requirement: Regular when the plants are growing and blooming
Light requirement: Full sun in cool-summer areas; partial shade elsewhere
Bulb type: True bulb
When to plant: When bulbs first become available in fall, usually October into November
Benefits and tolerances: Unlike other irises, these prefer cool, moist, somewhat acidic soils. The blooms resemble those of Dutch and Spanish irises but with slightly larger falls. Blues and purples are the most common shades, but you’ll also find shades of red and white.
English Iris
Botanical name: Iris latifolia
Origin: Pyrenees
Bloom season: Early summer
Where it will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Mature size: Stems reach 1½ feet tall with blooms, two per stem, that are sllghtly bigger than those of Dutch and Spanish iris
Water requirement: Regular when the plants are growing and blooming
Light requirement: Full sun in cool-summer areas; partial shade elsewhere
Bulb type: True bulb
When to plant: When bulbs first become available in fall, usually October into November
Benefits and tolerances: Unlike other irises, these prefer cool, moist, somewhat acidic soils. The blooms resemble those of Dutch and Spanish irises but with slightly larger falls. Blues and purples are the most common shades, but you’ll also find shades of red and white.
Photo by carmona rodriguez.cc
How to use it. Plant English iris in a partially shaded area that will receive some water. It looks best massed or in containers; if tucked in among other plants, make sure it won’t be overlooked. It’s also excellent for naturalizing.
How to plant it. Plant bulbs in cool, moist, slightly acidic soil, setting them 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water when the plants are growing and blooming. Allow the foliage to turn yellow before removing. Bulbs can be left in the ground year-round. Dig and divide when vigorous blooms start to fade.
How to use it. Plant English iris in a partially shaded area that will receive some water. It looks best massed or in containers; if tucked in among other plants, make sure it won’t be overlooked. It’s also excellent for naturalizing.
How to plant it. Plant bulbs in cool, moist, slightly acidic soil, setting them 3 to 4 inches deep and 4 inches apart. Water thoroughly after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water when the plants are growing and blooming. Allow the foliage to turn yellow before removing. Bulbs can be left in the ground year-round. Dig and divide when vigorous blooms start to fade.
Reticulata Iris and Dwarf Iris
Botanical names: Iris reticulata, I. danfordiae, I histrioides hybrids
Origin: Middle East
Bloom season: Early spring; midwinter in warm-winter climates
Where they will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall with 2- to 3-inch-wide blooms
Water requirement: Regular from fall to spring; no water in summer
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bulb type: True bulb
When to plant: When bulbs appear in nurseries in fall, usually October; can be planted in November in warm-winter climates
Fun fact: These are distinguished by reticulate bulbs, meaning they have a net-like covering.
Benefits and tolerances: Fragrant flowers with blue-green leaves that might appear after blooming finishes. I. reticulata blooms in shades of purple, I. danfordiae in yellow, and I. histrioides hybrids in shades of blue and purple with yellow or bronze markings.
Botanical names: Iris reticulata, I. danfordiae, I histrioides hybrids
Origin: Middle East
Bloom season: Early spring; midwinter in warm-winter climates
Where they will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (zones 5 to 9)
Mature size: 6 to 8 inches tall with 2- to 3-inch-wide blooms
Water requirement: Regular from fall to spring; no water in summer
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Bulb type: True bulb
When to plant: When bulbs appear in nurseries in fall, usually October; can be planted in November in warm-winter climates
Fun fact: These are distinguished by reticulate bulbs, meaning they have a net-like covering.
Benefits and tolerances: Fragrant flowers with blue-green leaves that might appear after blooming finishes. I. reticulata blooms in shades of purple, I. danfordiae in yellow, and I. histrioides hybrids in shades of blue and purple with yellow or bronze markings.
How to use them. These small plants — they reach 8 inches tall at most — are ideal for spring interest along pathways, at the front edge of borders, in rock gardens or along a pond or stream. They can get lost among taller plantings, so they’re also good for containers. Plant in masses to enjoy their beauty and scent. They also naturalize well.
How to plant. Plant in well-draining soil, setting bulbs 3 to 4 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches deep. Water well after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water from fall through bloom time unless snow covers the ground. Prefers subfreezing temperatures to perform well. Keep soil completely dry in summer. You may need to lift the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space out of sunlight, or else grow them in containers if you get summer rain. Dig and divide when flowering starts to fade; replant in fall.
More
Fall Planting Guide: Plant Bulbs Now for Spring and Summer Blooms
7 Reasons Not to ‘Clean Up’ Your Fall Garden
How to plant. Plant in well-draining soil, setting bulbs 3 to 4 inches apart and 3 to 4 inches deep. Water well after planting.
Growing notes. Provide regular water from fall through bloom time unless snow covers the ground. Prefers subfreezing temperatures to perform well. Keep soil completely dry in summer. You may need to lift the bulbs and store them in a cool, dry, well-ventilated space out of sunlight, or else grow them in containers if you get summer rain. Dig and divide when flowering starts to fade; replant in fall.
More
Fall Planting Guide: Plant Bulbs Now for Spring and Summer Blooms
7 Reasons Not to ‘Clean Up’ Your Fall Garden
Botanical names: Iris x hollandica and I. xiphium
Origin: Spain, Portugal, Sicily, northern Africa
Bloom season: March and April in warmer climates; May and June elsewhere. Spanish irises bloom about two weeks after Dutch irises.
Where they will grow: Hardy to minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, or minus 23 degrees Celsius (USDA zones 5 to 9; find your zone); mulch in coldest winter areas
Mature size: 1½- to 2-foot-tall stems with 3- to 4-inch-wide blooms
Water requirement: Regular when the plants are growing and blooming
Light requirement: Full sun
Bulb type: True bulb
When to plant: When bulbs first become available in fall, usually October into November
Benefits and tolerances: Dutch irises are known for their grassy foliage and bright blossoms in shades of white, blue and purple, although flowers in shades of yellow, bronze, orange and mauve, as well as bicolor blooms, are increasingly popular; many are fragrant.