Iris Bulbs - Nature's Easy-Care Showcase
Iris Bulbs - Nature's Easy-Care Showcase
Iris Bulbs - Nature's Easy-Care Showcase
Iris bulbs make the perfect flower.
Okay, so maybe I'm a little biased! But you have to admit, irises are a gardener's dream.
Iris Bulbs are Perfect for the First-Time Gardener
If you're new to gardening but want something that is pretty much fail-safe, then think irises!
Irises are planted from a "rhizome." "Rhizome" is the actual name of the iris root, but since it's not a common word, many people just default to "bulb."
Iris bulbs will look like gnarled roots with some little "finger" roots growing out of the bottom. Irises like full sun, but they hate to have wet feet. To plant, simply place your iris bulbs about halfway into some loosened dirt in a sunny location. Make sure your location does not have standing water on any regular basis. Cover the finger roots completely with soil, but you can leave some of the top of the bulb exposed to the sun and air.
Believe it or not, iris bulbs like that!
Water gently and leave the plants alone. In a couple of days, water again. Then allow a few days before the next dose of water. That's all there is to it!
Do you see why I love irises so much?
Typically iris bulbs are planted in the late summer or early fall. This allows the plants to grow healthy roots and store up energy before they go dormant for the winter.
Irises Need a Good Hard Freeze
If you live in the west or the south, you may need to dig up your iris bulbs for the winter if you do not usually get some good hard freezing temperatures.
Irises require a strong freeze to perform. If your area does not get a good winter freeze, then you'll want to dig them up and place them in your freezer for a few weeks at least. They can stay in the freezer a few months if need be. Then you can replant your iris bulbs in the spring when the ground is starting to wake up.
Early Summer Displays
Iris leaves will start to peek out of the ground once the snow melts, after the tulips and daffodils bloom. You can expect your irises to bloom in early June, although in some areas it could be a week or two earlier or a week or two later than that.
Blooms typically last about two weeks, but what a glorious two weeks it is!
You'll see many colors and patterns, from pale yellows to deep purples and reds, and anything in between. There are many iris enthusiasts who enjoy propagating new iris varieties, so you can often find new and unique flowers at iris shows and fairs.
Some of the newest iris bulbs include two color or bi-color varieties. This is where the standards (the top petals) are one color and the falls (the bottom, falling petals) are a completely different color.
What about Rebloomer Irises?
Rebloomers are irises that will give a second (and believe it or not, sometimes a third or even fourth!) display later during the summer or fall after their initial (and traditional) bloom in early June.
This is dependent upon a number of factors, because some reblooming varieties will not rebloom in some climates.
It seems to be a cool weather period that stimulates the reblooming aspect of a rebloomer iris. Unfortunately, even when an iris is labeled a rebloomer, there is no guarantee it will rebloom in your climate. Also, sometimes it can take a few years for a rebloomer to get in the habit of reblooming.
If you're lucky enough to find a reblooming variety iris, just plant and hope for the best!
Whether you find a reblooming iris or not, you're sure to enjoy the beauty and reliability of iris bulbs in your garden.
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