How To Grow Iris Tips For Dutch, English And Spanish Iris Bulb Planting

How do you plant Dutch iris bulbs?

Depth and Spacing: Dig a 6" to 8” deep hole. To help improve drainage, you can mix in a little peat moss or compost. Plant the bulbs with the pointy end up, approximately 5” deep and 4” apart. Planting Tips: Like most bulbs, Dutch iris look best planted in groups.

Do I soak iris bulbs before planting?

Soak the Rhizome: Soak your rhizomes in bowl of water with one or two small drops of dish soap for 5 to 10 minutes before planting. This re-hydrates the rhizome and gets it ready for planting.

How long do Dutch iris bulbs take to grow?

Iris and hyacinths need 13 to 15 weeks of chill period and will also sprout 1 to 2 weeks after the requirement is fulfilled.

Do Dutch iris bulbs multiply?

Blooming in May and/or June in horticultural zone 5, deer- and rodent-resistant Dutch Iris grow from 18" to 22" tall with long, slender foliage. After the flowers fade, allow the foliage to die back naturally for prolonged photosynthesis to help the bulbs grow and multiply in future years.

Do iris bulbs come back every year?

Some gardeners prefer to treat them as annuals and plant fresh bulbs every fall but if the iris bulbs are happy in a sunny, well-drained spot, they will bloom for many years. Remove the blooms as they fade and the foliage will continue to grow through the summer, providing nutrition for next year's bloom.

Where do irises like to be planted?

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site

Irises will bloom best in full sun. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it's not ideal. Without enough light, they won't bloom. Bearded irises must not be shaded out by other plants; many do best in a special bed on their own.

What is the best time to plant irises?

Iris bulbs should be planted in the fall for spring blooms. For best results, blooms need at least a half day of full sun, but colors will be more vibrant if they receive a full day of direct sunlight.

Will squirrels eat iris bulbs?

Daffodils – One of the most reliable heralds of spring, daffodils are garden staples that squirrels hate to eat. ... Even better is the fact that they will thrive in shady areas of the garden. Siberian Iris – These plants offer early season color and intricate, frilly flowers that squirrels will avoid.

How can you tell if an iris bulb is good?

Verify that the rhizomes are firm and have not begun to shrivel. If stored improperly, iris rhizomes shrivel and dry, and they may not bloom reliably.

Why are my iris bulbs rotting?

Root Rot in Iris

Iris root rot is a caused by Erwinia carotovora, a bacterial phytopathogen. It usually gets inside the rhizome through an opening created by some kind of injury. Any pest could provide this entry, including borers, slugs, snails, beetle larvae or even rough use of tools.

Why does my Dutch iris not bloom?

Poor rhizomes or bulbs are often the cause of no flowers. If these are mushy, rotten, small and under formed, then the result is stunted plants with few or no blooms. Also, the plant needs well-drained soil in full sun for flowers to be produced. Irises in shady locations may fail to form blooms.

Will irises multiply?

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.

What should I plant in front of my iris?

For a spring garden full of blooms, use these companion plants for iris:

Columbine.
Daffodil.
Tulips.
Allium.
Pansy.
Peony.
Violet.
Lupine.

How do I get my iris to bloom more?

Deadhead the iris frequently to encourage new flowering from buds growing further down on the stem. Let as much of the foliage remain on the plant as possible because it will continue to absorb the sun and feed the stems. Once flowering is over, cut the stalk down to the soil level but not into the rhizome or bulb.

Can Dutch iris be planted in spring?

Often grown as annuals, Dutch iris hybrids grow from bulbs that can be planted in fall (where hardy, zones 5 to 9) or spring.

Is Miracle Grow good for Iris?

Any even fertilizer is fine. You don't want to over-fertilize, because that causes a lot of leaf growth, which may encourage rot, but the fertilizer itself won't. Beardless iris tend to be heavier feeders, thus need more fertilizer, but all irises want a little fertilizer now and then! Miracle Grow is fine.

Can you dig up iris bulbs in the spring?

Do not transplant iris in the spring. Wait until the foliage has died back in the summer before attempting to dig up and move your iris bulbs.

Is bone meal good for irises?

Irises should be fertilized in early spring about 6 to 8 weeks before bloom, and again after the blooms are gone. Because phosphate is important, we recommend bone meal or super-phosphate and a light balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 6-10-10 depending on the amount of nitrogen in your soil.

Should I deadhead irises?

Deadheading, or removing the old flowers, keeps the plants attractive and allows the leaves to collect energy for healthy root formation instead of setting seeds. Some irises may bloom twice a year if you deadhead properly. Break off the individual flowers on each flowering stem after they finish blooming.

What month do iris bloom?

A number of bearded varieties bloom from early spring to early summer. Among beardless irises, many varieties in the Spuria subgroup bloom from late spring to midsummer. Some Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and Japanese iris (I. ensata) selections bloom from mid-spring to early summer.

Can irises grow in shade?

Irises do well in most regions of North America and are hardy from zones 5 - 9; they bloom best in full sun but can also be planted in partial shade.