When To Plant Iris Bulbs In Kansas?

When To Plant Iris Bulbs In Kansas
Irises should be planted, moved, or divided throughout the summer for the best results. To read more about flowers, go here. It does not sound like a good time to plant if the weather is going to be hot and humid. Forget about the weather for the time being if you are an iris fanatic since there is work to be done.

Irises should be planted, moved, or divided between the latter half of July and the middle of August for the greatest results. One of the most well-liked and straightforward to cultivate of all the permanent flowers in the yard is the iris. Even though they are low maintenance and bring enjoyment for many years, it is still necessary to divide them on a regular basis in order to ensure the plant’s continued good health.

When Should Iris Be Divided? Iris should be divided anywhere in the range of once every three to five years, as a general rule. Without timely division, the plants will simply overrun the space in the garden that has been allocated to them. When there are too many plants in a given space, the quality of the blooms produced by the clump typically suffers.

Iris: How to Separate It There is no easy way to approach a cluster of overgrown iris other than to simply dive in and begin working through it. To begin, dig through the entirety of the cluster. The plants, on the other hand, have a root system that is quite shallow, which means that you do not need to dig too far.

If the weather is dry, you should irrigate the area one or two days before you want to dig to hydrate the soil and make the process simpler. As soon as the plants are freed from the earth, you can begin dismantling them. Iris rhizomes are hardy and nearly impossible to destroy once established.

  • Remove the dirt from around the roots, then rip the rhizomes apart and break them up.
  • It is recommended to get rid of any little roots since there will be more divisions than anyone could ever use.
  • The rhizomes of the iris spread outward.
  • You can get rid of the older rhizome that is located further away from the fan of leaves.

The last knee or bump that is joined to the leaves is all that is required for completion. The remainder is an old, unproductive rhizome, which a healthy plant does not require in order to thrive. In order to make the plant more manageable, many people choose to remove around half of the plant’s leaves.

How to Set Up an Iris Garden The challenging portion of this is over now. The rhizomes of the iris are simple to replant. In order to get the hard clay soils that are typical in our region to crumble a little bit, you need start by preparing the ground by tilling in a large quantity of compost or peat moss.

When to Plant Iris Bulbs

The rhizomes of an iris should be placed in very little soil. Only the lower half of the root should be covered, while the top should be left uncovered and exposed to the light. A cluster of around three prepared rhizomes constitutes a great size division, often known as a start.

  • Cover the surface with a thin layer of leaves and point them outward in a circle.
  • After giving it a good soaking, the procedure is finished.
  • Relax and hold out until May of the following year for a magnificent treat in the form of iris flowers.
  • Take pleasure in one of the region’s perennials that is the least difficult to cultivate.

There is nothing more refined than the irises that have just opened their petals.

What month do you plant iris bulbs?

The majority of irises should be planted between the end of summer and the beginning of fall, when nighttime temperatures are expected to remain between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit (4 and 10 degrees Celsius) or higher. They will have plenty of time to establish themselves before the upcoming winter as a result of this.

Is it too late to plant iris bulbs?

Rhizomes and bulbs are two wholly distinct parts of a plant’s life cycle. Rhizomes, which are essentially modified stems, are planted at the same level as the soil surface, in contrast to bulbs, which are put at a deeper depth. Planting bulbs in the late fall, just before the ground begins to freeze, is something that can be done and should be done.

For the best chance of overwintering success, iris rhizomes need to be planted at least six weeks before the onset of the season’s first killing frost. This is not to imply that some of the late-planted irises won’t make it through the winter because they will. They will. Simply said, the later you plant them, the higher the risk that they won’t make it through the winter.

This increases the longer you wait. In my garden, which is located in zone 3b, I have discovered over the course of the past ten years that the 15th of August is the latest date on which bearded irises may be planted “safely.” If I plant after that date, I will begin to suffer some winter loss of the fresh transplants that I have planted.

  • If I wait until October to plant my irises (which I did once), up to ninety percent of them will perish during their first winter, while the other ten percent could make it through.
  • I’m assuming that you should be able to plant safely through September in the climate that corresponds to your zone 5a, but it’s likely that the deadline for planting safely has gone by this point.

If I were you and I wanted to give my iris rhizomes the best possible chance of surviving the winter, I would either pot them up and overwinter them indoors in sunny windows or under lights, or I would build a cold frame for them outside and overwinter them in there.

  1. Either way, I would give them the opportunity to thrive as much as possible.
  2. If neither of those were a possibility, I may just go ahead and put them in the ground, wait till the ground freezes, and then lightly cover them with evergreen boughs.
  3. Covering your irises with newspaper and leaves is NOT a good idea.

They would very probably go bad as a result of that. Any type of mulch that is applied to bearded irises must avoid being compacted around the rhizomes and must allow for optimum air circulation around the plant’s bases. Keep in mind that there are two types of irises: those that grow from bulbs (such as Dutch or reticulata), and those that grow from rhizomes (bearded, beardless, etc.).

When can you transplant iris in Kansas?

QUESTION: I need the space that is now filled by iris because I want to plant day lilies there. Even though I am aware that moving iris during the fall is the ideal time to do it, I was wondering what the results would be if I moved them during the summer.

Many, many thanks – Foy Should you go ahead and transfer Iris right now? No. Can you try? Yes. However, there are some causes for caution. The months of July and August, when the weather is often hot and dry, are the ideal months for transplanting irises since this is when they are dormant. My main problem with transplanting at this time is that the soils in our region are too wet, and unfortunately, there is not enough sunlight.

Both of these factors would make it difficult for the iris to reestablish themselves, and the lack of sunlight might lead the rhizomes to decay. In addition, because they have not yet entered their latent period, you may have an effect on the bloom that occurs the following year.

  • The link to the KSU bulletin on the care of iris may be found here: You might find the following resource helpful: http://www.hfrr.ksu.edu/doc3175.ashx.
  • It is recommended that you delay transplanting if at all possible.
  • If you can, you should relocate the day lilies to a different location temporarily and then bring them back to their original location in the fall, after you have transplanted the iris in July or August.

I really hope this helps address the question you asked. Master Gardener Program of the Carole-Johnson County Extension This article was first posted at 10:11 a.m. on June 2, 2015.

Can I plant iris bulbs in April?

When To Plant Iris Bulbs In Kansas Irises are stunning flowering plants, and there are over 250 distinct types of them. Because of the vast array of hues and hue combinations that it creates, the Greek term that gave it its name literally translates to “rainbow.” Plants may thrive in harsh environmental circumstances, can withstand extended periods of drought, and spread vigorously over the northern hemisphere.

  • Description Iris is a type of perennial plant that develops from a bulb and then generates creeping rhizomes that travel underground for the purpose of finding food.
  • The stem is tall and straight, and it bears blooms in a variety of hues, some of which are solid while others are mottled.
  • Flowers have the appearance of a fan and have one or more petals that each have six lobes and are symmetrical.

These petals have a small downward curve, and the central component of the flower is held erect. Irises are well-known for their ability to create stunning displays in gardens and may be found in botanical gardens all over the world. When cultivated in decorative pots for either indoor or outdoor venues, or when picked as cut flowers, they are equally as lovely in any setting.

  • Flowers may open their petals as early as February and March or as late as August, depending on the variety; nevertheless, the majority of flowering plants do so in the spring.
  • Iris bulbs need to be planted in the autumn in order for them to blossom in the spring.
  • Blooms require at least half a day of full sun for optimal results, but the colors will be more brilliant if they receive a full day of direct sunshine.
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Blooms require at least half a day of full sun for optimal results. At all times, the soil should have enough drainage. Tip: Once the flowers have finished forming on plants, cut off the entire flowering stem so that you are just left with the leaves. This will result in the accumulation of nutrients for their dormant phase throughout the winter.

  • Prepare the ground in your planting location by digging it up.6-8 inches deep Put one cup of compost that has decomposed for a long time into the hole.
  • Rhizomes should be spaced around 18 inches apart and planted with the leaves facing up and the roots facing down.
  • Rhizomes should never be planted more than one inch below the earth, since doing so will cause them to decay.

After adding soil, make sure that the exposed portion of the rhizome is no more than one-third. After planting, make sure the soil is well hydrated. Put on some fertilizer with a low nitrogen content (5% nitrogen, 10% phosphorus, and 15% potassium). Purchase Suggestions Purchase rhizomes that are firm and have stringy roots that are around the same length.

Steer clear of rhizomes that are mushy or exhibit symptoms of mold or mildew. The best benefits will come from planting bulbs as soon as possible after purchase. Care In the late summer, divide older rhizomes after every few years to prevent them from becoming crowded. Remove any areas that are too woody, and then replant.

During the fall, cut back the leaves to within four to five inches of the rhizomes. Take off any leaves that have withered or died. Iris bulbs should be replaced completely. Mulch with straw prior to snowfall in areas that have a cold winter. As the earth begins to warm up, remove the mulch.

Should I soak iris bulbs before planting?

Iris Cultivation Frequently Asked Questions: Do Irises Require Full Sunlight? Even though Japanese and Siberian irises can tolerate some shadow, full light is ideal for the majority of iris species when it comes to blooming. Irises that grow to be taller are more likely to arch their petals toward the sun and produce fewer flowers when the light level is lower.

You should give your irises at least six to eight hours of sunshine every day if you want them to thrive. When do irises bloom? There are seasonal differences in growth for each kind of iris! The tall bearded irises begin their blooming season in the spring, and the reblooming kinds continue to flower through the summer and into the fall.

Irises from the Netherlands, Spain, and England all bloom between the middle of spring and the middle of summer. These shorter irises are perfect for covering up the spent flowers on your spring bulbs because to their dense coverage. Irises produced from bulbs bloom for a shorter period of time than Japanese and Siberian irises, although they can still produce flowers from the middle of spring to the middle of summer.

There are several iris cultivars that bloom repeatedly or have extended bloom durations. Irises are one of those plants that can truly take your garden from one season to the next. What is the maximum number of iris bulbs that may be planted at once? Iris bulbs are wonderful for use in landscaping. Irises that are produced from rhizomes, such as Japanese or Siberian irises, can be finicky about the spacing between their plants; however, irises planted from bulbs normally require only a few inches of space between each plant.

There is no limit on the number of iris bulbs that can be planted side by side. When your iris bulbs start to cluster together or produce fewer flowers, all you need to do is divide them. When planting iris bulbs, should they first be submerged in water? There is no requirement to soak bulbs before planting them.

Can I plant iris in spring?

When to Plant Iris Rhizomes The majority of commercial growers send iris rhizomes in late August or September, when overnight temperatures range between 40 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This is the optimal time to plant iris rhizomes. This is the best season to plant, since the rhizomes will have plenty of time to root themselves in the ground and get established before the onset of winter.

Can I plant iris bulbs in February?

Irises may be planted at any time of the year, but the optimum time to do so is between the months of September and October. However, it is possible to plant them as late as November. The months of August through October are the best time to plant bearded iris rhizomes. Irises grown in containers without beards can be planted at any time between spring and fall.

How many iris bulbs can you plant together?

When planting iris bulbs, how deep should they be placed? Please observe the following guidelines while planting iris bulbs: Before you begin planting, till the soil until it is worked to a depth of about four inches (ten centimeters). Plant iris bulbs 1 inch (2.5 cm) deep.

  1. You may plant up to three iris bulbs at the same time to achieve a bountiful display of beautiful flowers.
  2. Put a very thin layer of soil over the bulbs you have purchased.
  3. Be careful to keep a close check on your iris bulbs so that you can prevent them from becoming exposed.
  4. You may stop worrying about your irises becoming exposed to the elements after they have established their roots and begun to sprout.

Iris variations thrive best in plantings that are shallower than those used for other types of bulb flowers, but when given the proper attention, they may provide stunning results. If you want to successfully cultivate bearded irises, crested irises, or Dutch irises, you should dig a planting hole that is one inch deep and cover the top of the hole with a thin layer of dirt.

Will iris bulbs multiply?

In the same vein as daylilies, brugmansias, and tropical plants, irises can be described as an obsession, addiction, or compulsion. However, why? What is the big deal about this?

I used to wonder what was so great about irises, specifically tall bearded irises. But now that I know what the big deal is, let’s just say I’ve fallen in love. So let me count the ways. If you already love irises, then you undoubtedly know all the things I’m about to say. But if you are like I was and you just don’t get it, maybe you could use some evidence and a solid case. Irises are easy to cultivate, easy to share, easy on the eyes, and really pretty easy to love. ‘Gizmo the Gremlin’ pictured at left and ‘Mulberry Rose’ at right.

Facilitation of plant growth

Maybe the most lovable aspect of irises is that they are forgiving creatures. They will multiply and thrive despite your well-intentioned efforts which might usually spell the end of other plants. Tall bearded irises need good drainage and will tolerate virtually any kind of soil. They prefer to stay dry and hot, making irises a perfect plant for the spots that many other plants won’t tolerate. They don’t require much, if any, supplemental water so you can practically plant them and forget about them. Whether you have rich, humus soil or rocky clay like I do, irises will reward you by blooming and multiplying. While irises do appreciate some compost, there’s really no need to make vast amendments to your soil before planting. ‘Red at Night’ pictured at right. Have you been listening? Irises don’t care about your soil, they’ll take as little water as you can’t remember to throw at them, and they’ll take the sunniest part of your garden. What’s not to love about that?

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‘Bewilderbeast’ ‘Dance Recital’ ‘Edith Wolford’ ‘Ocelot’ ‘Performing Arts’ ‘Dance Man’ ‘Lake Reprise’ ‘Supreme Sultan’

Prepared to be shared

Perhaps the best part is that all you need is one rhizome to start a new plant; and it doesn’t even have to be a large rhizome. You don’t have to buy or trade in multiples to get blooms and within just a season, you’ll have even more rhizomes. Irises multiply readily by growing new rhizomes that mature quickly. Because they multiply so quickly, irises are easy to share. Every few years, irises should be divided just like daylilies to rejuvenate the plant. This creates an excellent opportunity to share irises with friends. Iris rhizomes are easy to dig, unlike some plants, because they do not grow deep roots and their rhizomes sit so close to the soil surface. Because it is so easy to share irises, rhizomes get passed between friends often. ‘Vibrations’ pictured at left.

Irises are not only simple to unearth, but they are also simple to ship and simple to put away once they are harvested. Because the rhizomes of an iris hold a stored supply of energy, the plant does not necessary require leaves in order to thrive. Irises, unlike the vast majority of other plants, can be kept dry for extended periods of time because to this trait.

  • Rhizomes of irises are therefore very easy to ship to different parts of the country.
  • Irises have the added benefit of being able to be mailed without the soil and the majority of their leaves, making them more compact and lightweight.
  • Take a wild guess at the number of iris rhizomes that can be packed inside a flat rate package.

Consider this a word of caution for your wallet if you’ve already decided that you want to grow irises. Irises may be purchased in large quantities both on the internet and in specialized nurseries. You may get your hands on them for a very low price; for as little as three dollars, you might have a new cultivar of iris that you can name your own.

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Some classic irises:
‘Batik’ ‘Victoria Falls’ ‘Immortality’ ‘Superstition’

Rainbow with plenty of colors Irises truly do come in a wide variety of colors, if we’re talking about hues here. For me, as an artist, the first thing that jumps out at me about a flower is its color, regardless of whether or not I like it. At first look, I believed that irises appeared in shades of deep violet-blue, white, and yellow.

  1. This is because I am generally drawn to colors that are dramatic, intriguing, and different from one another.
  2. I rolled my eyes and thought, “What a bore!” Irises, on the other hand, have one of the most extensive color ranges of any other type of flowering perennial, if not the most extensive color range overall.

Irises may be found in a wide range of hues, including those that are unusual in the garden, such as brown, green, and black, as well as those that are more difficult to locate, such as apricot, red, and brilliant blue.

‘Local Color’ ‘Radiant Apogee’ ‘Trade Secret’ ‘Made of Magic’
‘Shine on Thru’ ‘Decadence’ ‘Robin’s Nest’ ‘Cajun Spices’

Your garden may make a statement whether you have one iris or thirty, it doesn’t matter how many you have. You may tuck them in here and there throughout a mixed perennial border, or you might designate a specific area as a “iris garden” and plant masses of a variety of iris varieties.

Another thing that I love about irises is that they have a history. Since irises are generally propagated by dividing rhizomes, you could plausibly have a piece of a plant that has been living since the 18th century. Tall bearded iris cultivars are classified as historic or modern. Generally, an iris is considered a historic if it was registered 30 or more years ago. Historic cultivars have a certain “weepy” look to their flowers while modern irises are usually fuller and larger. Whether your preference is historic or modern cultivars, you get a beautiful flower. ‘San Francisco,’ which was registered in 1927, is pictured at right.

Are you still holding out? If you’ve made it this far in the article and bearded tall irises still haven’t won you over, perhaps one of the other kinds of iris could. Irises are extremely popular for another reason as well: there is a variety of flavors available.

Bewilderbeast – av_ocd_girl Local Color – rshadlow Shine on Thru – Zacattack
Supreme Sultan – CHA Edith Wolford – Songbird839 Coalignition – patnjbob
Dance Man – Doss Ocelot – Texas_Doodlebug Vibrations – mhelm
Lake Reprise – Gaited1 Immortality – Tish64 Red at Night – delvalcarol
Dance Recital – Greenorchid Cajun Spices – Tntigger Lion King – Lilypon
Radiant Apogee – Laurief Made of Magic – Tntigger Garnet Storm Dancer – tazzy
Lake Effect – Lilypon Decadence – rshadlow Echo the Wind – Flowerfrenzy
Batik – Loic Robin’s Nest – 1913cat Superstition – ladyanne
Performing Arts – Margiempv Trade Secret – Eroctuse2 San Francisco – JoanJ
Victoria Falls – Patnjbob Gizmo the Gremlin – jessmerritt Mulberry Rose – hespiris

How long can iris bulbs stay out of the ground?

The rhizomes that have been produced can be kept out of the ground for a period of two weeks without suffering any adverse effects. Choose a planting spot that has enough drainage, gets at least 5 to 6 hours of sunlight every day, and is in an area that gets the optimum amount of sunlight. Irises can be grown as individual plants or in clusters with other types of vegetation in a garden bed.

Will deer eat irises?

Unique and eye-catching blooms that are resistant to damage from deer and simple to cultivate. Irises are available in a dizzying array of hues and patterns, with the outer petals being referred to as “falls” and the interior petals being referred to as “standards.” Bearded or German Irises are beautiful with their soft, fluffy falls; nevertheless, you shouldn’t let the beauty of these irises take your attention away from the other varieties.

The Siberians are just as simple to care for, and they produce an even greater number of blooms. The Japanese are naturally endowed with stunning good looks and do not require an abundance of water to thrive. The Louisianas are a kind of flowering plant that are indigenous to North America. These plants have enormous blossoms and amazing coloration.

All of these summer-blooming perennials look stunning when combined with other types of the same plant, and many of them even produce a second round of flowers later in the season. Bearded iris ‘Silverado’ has lavishly ruffled flowers that are silvery-lavender in color and remain for a very long time.

Once it has reached its full maturity, ‘Silverado’ has tall, robust stems that individually yield. Find Out More Bearded Iris Silverado Silverado Bearded Iris Iris germanica, sometimes known as the Bearded Iris Silverado $7.99 Sale The lavishly ruffled ‘Silverado’ Bearded Iris has silvery-lavender flowers that endure a very long time.

The price per bag of one is $6.79. When fully grown, ‘Silverado’ has tall, robust stems that each yield 8-9 buds evenly distributed along their length. It is simple to incorporate into most color schemes, adores growing in full sun, is resistant to damage from deer, and can survive harsh winters. When To Plant Iris Bulbs In Kansas

Can you dig up iris bulbs and replant them?

Iris Transplantation Steps: After the iris rhizomes have been separated, the next step in the process is to replant them. To begin, cut all of the iris leaf fans to a height of around 6 to 9 inches tall (15-23 cm.). This will give the plant the opportunity to reestablish its roots without needing to simultaneously sustain a significant quantity of leaf growth.

The iris rhizomes should then be planted in the area that has been chosen. This spot ought to be exposed to a fair bit of sunshine and ought to have appropriate drainage. Create a hole in the soil slightly below the surface of the earth at the location where you want the rhizome to take root. When planting several irises in close proximity to one another, make sure the rhizomes face in opposite directions and are at least 18 inches (46 cm) apart.

After spreading the roots out in a circle around the rhizome, the next step is to cover both the roots and the rhizome with soil. Be sure to give the iris plants that have just been transplanted plenty of water.

How long does it take for iris bulbs to sprout?

When Will My Bulbs Sprout? – How Long Does it Take for Bulbs to Sprout? It is possible that providing an answer to the query “how long does it take for flower bulbs to grow?” will require some explanation. When the temps become warmer, spring bulbs begin to sprout and blossom.

They will not produce blooms unless they have been subjected to the appropriate amount of cold necessary to break dormancy. October is the ideal month for planting spring bulb flowers over the majority of the United States. This gives the bulb the opportunity to be exposed to cold temperatures for 12 to 15 weeks, which is required for spring bulbs to sprout.

For up to 15 weeks, spring bulb flowers need to be grown in temperatures ranging from 1 to 7 degrees Celsius (35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). It takes different types of plants different amounts of time to blossom after being chilled. Chilling is essential for tulips for a period of 10 to 16 weeks, and the bulbs will begin to grow one to three weeks following this period.

  1. Crocuses, grape hyacinths, and daffodils all have comparable emergence dates; however, crocuses and grape hyacinths require freezing for 8 to 15 weeks, whilst daffodils require chilling for 12 to 15 weeks.
  2. Snowdrops need 15 complete weeks of frigid weather before they may begin to blossom, although they can begin blooming two weeks after being chilled.

Irises and hyacinths require a cool time of 13 to 15 weeks and will also sprout one to two weeks after the criterion has been met. Gardeners who are too lazy to plant their spring bulbs in the fall never need to worry about the consequences of their negligence.

You have the option of purchasing bulbs in the spring that have already been refrigerated, or you may chill your own bulbs all winter long in the vegetable crisper in your own home. Wait the required number of weeks, and place bulbs in a location that is apart from fruit that is maturing, such as apples and tomatoes.

You may bring bulbs indoors and force them to bloom early by using the methods described here. Plant bulbs in a container that is twice as deep as the bulb itself and in a mixture that does not contain dirt. The rot that can occur in container bulbs is helped to be avoided with the use of silt-based mixtures.

Where is the best place to plant iris bulbs?

Iris must have at least six hours of sunlight every day in order to thrive. Although little shade can be advantageous in severely hot temperatures, Iris do best in full sun in the vast majority of climes. It is essential that you plant your Iris in a location that has enough drainage, such as on a slope or in raised beds.

How far apart do you plant iris bulbs?

Planting distance for irises is typically between 12 and 24 inches. The effect of close planting may be seen almost immediately; however, iris that has been planted in such a manner will need to be trimmed more often. Plants that are given more distance between themselves will require less frequent thinning.

Can I plant iris bulbs in February?

Irises may be planted at any time of the year, but the optimum time to do so is between the months of September and October. However, it is possible to plant them as late as November. The months of August through October are the best time to plant bearded iris rhizomes. Irises grown in containers without beards can be planted at any time between spring and fall.

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Where is the best place to plant iris bulbs?

Iris must have at least six hours of sunlight every day in order to thrive. Although little shade can be advantageous in severely hot temperatures, Iris do best in full sun in the vast majority of climes. It is essential that you plant your Iris in a location that has enough drainage, such as on a slope or in raised beds.

How long does it take for iris bulbs to sprout?

When Will My Bulbs Sprout? – How Long Does it Take for Bulbs to Sprout? It is possible that providing an answer to the query “how long does it take for flower bulbs to grow?” will require some explanation. When the temps become warmer, spring bulbs begin to sprout and blossom.

They will not produce blooms unless they have been subjected to the appropriate amount of cold necessary to break dormancy. October is the ideal month for planting spring bulb flowers over the majority of the United States. This gives the bulb the opportunity to be exposed to cold temperatures for 12 to 15 weeks, which is required for spring bulbs to sprout.

For up to 15 weeks, spring bulb flowers need to be grown in temperatures ranging from 1 to 7 degrees Celsius (35 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit). It takes different types of plants different amounts of time to blossom after being chilled. Chilling is essential for tulips for a period of 10 to 16 weeks, and the bulbs will begin to grow one to three weeks following this period.

  • Crocuses, grape hyacinths, and daffodils all have comparable emergence dates; however, crocuses and grape hyacinths require freezing for 8 to 15 weeks, whilst daffodils require chilling for 12 to 15 weeks.
  • Snowdrops need 15 complete weeks of frigid weather before they may begin to blossom, although they can begin blooming two weeks after being chilled.

Irises and hyacinths require a cool time of 13 to 15 weeks and will also sprout one to two weeks after the criterion has been met. Gardeners who are too lazy to plant their spring bulbs in the fall never need to worry about the consequences of their negligence.

  • You have the option of purchasing bulbs in the spring that have already been refrigerated, or you may chill your own bulbs all winter long in the vegetable crisper in your own home.
  • Wait the required number of weeks, and place bulbs in a location that is apart from fruit that is maturing, such as apples and tomatoes.

You may bring bulbs indoors and force them to bloom early by using the methods described here. Plant bulbs in a container that is twice as deep as the bulb itself and in a mixture that does not contain dirt. The rot that can occur in container bulbs is helped to be avoided with the use of silt-based mixtures.

Will iris bulbs multiply?

In the same vein as daylilies, brugmansias, and tropical plants, irises can be described as an obsession, addiction, or compulsion. However, why? What is the big deal about this?

I used to wonder what was so great about irises, specifically tall bearded irises. But now that I know what the big deal is, let’s just say I’ve fallen in love. So let me count the ways. If you already love irises, then you undoubtedly know all the things I’m about to say. But if you are like I was and you just don’t get it, maybe you could use some evidence and a solid case. Irises are easy to cultivate, easy to share, easy on the eyes, and really pretty easy to love. ‘Gizmo the Gremlin’ pictured at left and ‘Mulberry Rose’ at right.

Facilitation of plant growth

Maybe the most lovable aspect of irises is that they are forgiving creatures. They will multiply and thrive despite your well-intentioned efforts which might usually spell the end of other plants. Tall bearded irises need good drainage and will tolerate virtually any kind of soil. They prefer to stay dry and hot, making irises a perfect plant for the spots that many other plants won’t tolerate. They don’t require much, if any, supplemental water so you can practically plant them and forget about them. Whether you have rich, humus soil or rocky clay like I do, irises will reward you by blooming and multiplying. While irises do appreciate some compost, there’s really no need to make vast amendments to your soil before planting. ‘Red at Night’ pictured at right. Have you been listening? Irises don’t care about your soil, they’ll take as little water as you can’t remember to throw at them, and they’ll take the sunniest part of your garden. What’s not to love about that?

table>

‘Bewilderbeast’ ‘Dance Recital’ ‘Edith Wolford’ ‘Ocelot’ ‘Performing Arts’ ‘Dance Man’ ‘Lake Reprise’ ‘Supreme Sultan’

Prepared to be shared

Perhaps the best part is that all you need is one rhizome to start a new plant; and it doesn’t even have to be a large rhizome. You don’t have to buy or trade in multiples to get blooms and within just a season, you’ll have even more rhizomes. Irises multiply readily by growing new rhizomes that mature quickly. Because they multiply so quickly, irises are easy to share. Every few years, irises should be divided just like daylilies to rejuvenate the plant. This creates an excellent opportunity to share irises with friends. Iris rhizomes are easy to dig, unlike some plants, because they do not grow deep roots and their rhizomes sit so close to the soil surface. Because it is so easy to share irises, rhizomes get passed between friends often. ‘Vibrations’ pictured at left.

Irises are not only simple to unearth, but they are also simple to ship and simple to put away once they are harvested. Because the rhizomes of an iris hold a stored supply of energy, the plant does not necessary require leaves in order to thrive. Irises, unlike the vast majority of other plants, can be kept dry for extended periods of time because to this trait.

  1. Rhizomes of irises are therefore very easy to ship to different parts of the country.
  2. Irises have the added benefit of being able to be mailed without the soil and the majority of their leaves, making them more compact and lightweight.
  3. Take a wild guess at the number of iris rhizomes that can be packed inside a flat rate package.

Consider this a word of caution for your wallet if you’ve already decided that you want to grow irises. Irises may be purchased in large quantities both on the internet and in specialized nurseries. You may get your hands on them for a very low price; for as little as three dollars, you might have a new cultivar of iris that you can name your own.

Some classic irises:
‘Batik’ ‘Victoria Falls’ ‘Immortality’ ‘Superstition’

Rainbow with plenty of colors Irises truly do come in a wide variety of colors, if we’re talking about hues here. For me, as an artist, the first thing that jumps out at me about a flower is its color, regardless of whether or not I like it. At first look, I believed that irises appeared in shades of deep violet-blue, white, and yellow.

  1. This is because I am generally drawn to colors that are dramatic, intriguing, and different from one another.
  2. I rolled my eyes and thought, “What a bore!” Irises, on the other hand, have one of the most extensive color ranges of any other type of flowering perennial, if not the most extensive color range overall.

Irises may be found in a wide range of hues, including those that are unusual in the garden, such as brown, green, and black, as well as those that are more difficult to come across, such as apricot, red, and brilliant blue.

‘Local Color’ ‘Radiant Apogee’ ‘Trade Secret’ ‘Made of Magic’
‘Shine on Thru’ ‘Decadence’ ‘Robin’s Nest’ ‘Cajun Spices’

Your garden may make a statement whether you have one iris or thirty, it doesn’t matter how many you have. You may tuck them in here and there throughout a mixed perennial border, or you might designate a specific area as a “iris garden” and plant masses of a variety of iris varieties.

Another thing that I love about irises is that they have a history. Since irises are generally propagated by dividing rhizomes, you could plausibly have a piece of a plant that has been living since the 18th century. Tall bearded iris cultivars are classified as historic or modern. Generally, an iris is considered a historic if it was registered 30 or more years ago. Historic cultivars have a certain “weepy” look to their flowers while modern irises are usually fuller and larger. Whether your preference is historic or modern cultivars, you get a beautiful flower. ‘San Francisco,’ which was registered in 1927, is pictured at right.

Are you still holding out? If you’ve made it this far in the article and bearded tall irises still haven’t won you over, perhaps one of the other kinds of iris could. Irises are extremely popular for another reason as well: there is a variety of flavors available.

Bewilderbeast – av_ocd_girl Local Color – rshadlow Shine on Thru – Zacattack
Supreme Sultan – CHA Edith Wolford – Songbird839 Coalignition – patnjbob
Dance Man – Doss Ocelot – Texas_Doodlebug Vibrations – mhelm
Lake Reprise – Gaited1 Immortality – Tish64 Red at Night – delvalcarol
Dance Recital – Greenorchid Cajun Spices – Tntigger Lion King – Lilypon
Radiant Apogee – Laurief Made of Magic – Tntigger Garnet Storm Dancer – tazzy
Lake Effect – Lilypon Decadence – rshadlow Echo the Wind – Flowerfrenzy
Batik – Loic Robin’s Nest – 1913cat Superstition – ladyanne
Performing Arts – Margiempv Trade Secret – Eroctuse2 San Francisco – JoanJ
Victoria Falls – Patnjbob Gizmo the Gremlin – jessmerritt Mulberry Rose – hespiris