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What Are Irises?
- Hardy herbaceous perennials in the Iridaceae Family
- Over 300 species within this genus plus hundreds of cultivars
- Easy to Recognize and Easy to Grow
- Flower heads have 3 upright petals known as “standards” and 3 outer petals referred to as “falls”
- Flowers range from 1” to 7” across
- Bloom time varies March to Mid-June
- Some prefer a drier soil and others will grow in water or bog areas
- Most Irises need full sun, but will tolerate shade
- Height will vary by variety
- Irises attract butterflies & hummingbirds
Other Characteristics That Are Quite Different
- Beards vs Beardless
- Bearded Irises are also known as German Irises
- Running down the center of each “fall or lower petal” is a bushy beard that looks like a furry caterpillar
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Irises attract Butterflies
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Irises attract Hummingbirds
Vincent Van Gogh – “Irises”
Irises attract Hummingbirds
Bearded Irises
Irises attract Hummingbirds
When To Plant - July, August, September Where To Plant - 6-8 hours of sunlight
Bearded Irises
Bearded Irises
Bearded Irises
Soil Preparation - Moist but well-drained Planting Depth - Barely below soil surface Spacing Plants - 12-24” apart, groups of 3
Bearded Irises
Bearded Irises
Watering - When top 3” of soil is dry
Fertilization - 10-10-10
Dividing Clumps - Every 3-4 years
General Garden Care - Keep rhizomes free of weeds and leaves
how to dig and plant
Beardless Irises
Beardless Irises
1) Dutch – Comes from a bulb Excellent cut flowers Popular in the floral trade
When To Plant - Plant in fall before frost Where To Plant - Sunny location
Fertilization - Spring 10-10-10 General Garden Care- Cut off bloom stalks before seed pods form
Beardless Irises
Beardless Irises
Beardless Irises
2) Louisiana – Native to southern states Grow nicely at edge of ponds
When To Plant - Plant in fall before frost Where To Plant - Sunny location Fertilization - Spring 10-10-10
General Garden Care- Cut off bloom stalks before seed pods form
Beardless Irises
3) Siberian – Tall, delicate, grassy foliage Native to Italy & Turkey
Siberian - Even moisture Watering –
How to Plant – Siberian 1” deep
Where To Plant - Sunny location Fertilization - Spring 10-10-10
General Garden Care- Cut off bloom stalks before seed pods form
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
4) Japanese – Resemble tropical birds Blooms after bearded irises Thrives around ponds
Watering ( Japanese) - As much water as possible
Garden Soil – Japanese - Require acidic soil 5.0-6.5
How to Plant – Japanese- 2” deep
Where To Plant - Sunny location Fertilization - Spring 10-10-10 General Garden Care- Cut off bloom stalks before seed pods form
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
5) Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
It is a “Native Star”
* Beardless Iris - Purple, Blue, Lilac, Lavender, & White
* Bloom early Spring to May
* Grows 3-6” Tall in humus-rich soil Works well as a ground cover
* Prefers dappled shade - Deer-resistant Makes delightful tree surrounds
Diseases
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
Dwarf Woodland Iris – (Crested Iris)
- Bacterial Leaf Blight
- Fungal Leaf Spot
- Bacterial Soft Rot
- Fungal Crown Rot
- Pests Iris Borer
PLANT SALE
Spring is coming time for you think about your garden? Mark your calendar now and "SAVE THE DATE" for our Des Plaines Garden Club’s
PLANT SALE!