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Learn to plant and care for irises, the tall, beautiful flowers named after the Greek goddess of rainbows. Find out about different types, colors, and varieties of irises, and how to deal with pests and diseases.
Other articles from almanac.com
- Where to Plant Iris
- How and When to Plant Iris
- Iris Care Tips
- Pests and Problems
- How to Propagate Iris
- Types of Iris
- Iris Companion Plants
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For the best bloom, plant iris in a sunny location. If your climate is on the hot side, some shade is acceptable. Almost all irises need well-drained soil but there are some species that prefer more moisture than others. The ideal soil for irises is slightly acidic but irises are quite adaptable pH-wise. There are lots of possibilities for planting...
Iris should be planted early enough in the late summer or early fall so that their roots are well established before the winter cold sets in. In cool climates, this can be as early as mid-July, whereas in southern locations planting in the early fall is fine. Space several plants 1`2 to 24 inches apart, depending on variety—irises have a tendency t...
Light
When it comes to sunlight, all irises need six to eight hours of full sunfor the best blossoms and foliage growth. In too much shade, they may stretch for the sun and become leggy and prone to flopping over. Also, the plants will be less likely to bloom.
Soil and Water
Bearded and bulb-type irises need well-drained soilto thrive because they will rot easily in soggy conditions. Many of the iris species are native to rocky mountainsides where there is sharp drainage. If you are looking for a species to grow in moist soil, look for a Louisiana iris, Japanese iris, or a yellow flag iris. Because there are such differences in the growing conditions of irises, make sure to do a little research before planting so you can provide your particular iris with what it...
Temperature and Humidity
Irises vary in their cold-hardiness. Siberian irises are especially hardy and don’t like extremely hot summers while others, such as Bamboo iris (Iris confusa) can even be grown in southern climates up to zone 11. Irises are relatively tolerant of humidity.
Irises are fairly pest-free, but iris borers are their one nemesis. This bug does most of its damage around blossom time, often between mid-April and mid-June. They chew their way into the leaves and then burrow down into the rhizome, leaving behind a trail of frass, a powdery brown residue. Once at their destination, the borers can eat several rhi...
Bearded irises and other rhizomatous types will eventually need to be divided every two to five years, which is also the way to propagate them. If it has been quite some time since their last division and your irises seem to be flowering less and less, chances are it's time for them to be divided. The best time to divide and replantmost irises is l...
'Bennerup Blue' Siberian Iris
Iris sibirica'Bennerup Blue' produces cobalt-blue flowers with small white blotches. It grows 2 feet tall. Zones 3-9
'Electric Rays' Iris
Iris ensata'Electric Rays' is a Japanese iris with large double violet flowers streaked with white. This award-winning variety grows 3 feet tall. Zones 5-9
'Caesar's Brother' Siberian iris
This variety of Iris sibiricais a classic Siberian iris with stunning deep purple blooms. Zones 3-8
Thrift
If you have a hot, dry spot with excellent drainage, you must give thrift a try. A small, tidy plant, it covers itself with adorable bobbing pink flowers. It's a charming groundcover, edging plant, or rock garden feature. When planted in large groups, it forms a mat of attractive grassy foliage and colorful marble-size balls of flowers. Also called sea pink, this tough plant tolerates wind, sea spray, and is drought-tolerant. They do need well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
Primrose
Take a walk down the primrose path and you'll never look back! Primroses are a classic cottage flowerand are popular with collectors. They covet the hundreds of different primroses available, especially some of the tiny rare alpine types. Many are staples of cottage gardens and rock gardens, while others provide spring color to damp places, rain gardens, and bog gardens. Their basal rosettes of oval leaves are often puckered or are very smooth. The colorful flowers may be borne singly or rise...
Peony
Perhaps the best-loved perennials, herbaceous peonies belong in almost every garden. Their sumptuous flowers—single, semidouble, anemone centered or Japanese, and fully double—in glorious shades of pinks and reds as well as white and yellow announce that spring has truly arrived. The handsome fingered foliage is usually dark green and remains good-looking all season long. Provide deep rich soil with plenty of humus to avoid dryness, and don't plant the crowns more than 2 inches beneath the su...
Learn how to choose, plant, and care for iris, a diverse group of perennial flowers with colorful and intricate blossoms. Find out about different types, varieties, and tips for growing iris in your garden.
- Nadia Hassani
The iris is the colored, muscular part of the eye that controls the size of the pupil and regulates the amount of light entering the eye. Learn about the structure, function, and disorders of the iris from Britannica, the online encyclopedia.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
The iris ( pl.: irides or irises) is a thin, annular structure in the eye in most mammals and birds, responsible for controlling the diameter and size of the pupil, and thus the amount of light reaching the retina. In optical terms, the pupil is the eye's aperture, while the iris is the diaphragm. Eye color is defined by the iris.
Feb 20, 2022 · Learn about the iris, the colored part of your eye that controls your pupil and helps you see in different lighting. Find out what conditions can affect your iris and how to take care of it.
Feb 20, 2024 · Learn about the iris, the colored part of the eye that controls pupil size and regulates light entering the eye. Find out the common disorders that affect the iris and pupil, such as glaucoma, iritis, and heterochromia, and how to treat them.
Illustration of an iris flower with highlighted parts of the flower. Irises are perennial plants, growing from creeping rhizomes (rhizomatous irises) or, in drier climates, from bulbs (bulbous irises). They have long, erect flowering stems which may be simple or branched, solid or hollow, and flattened or have a circular cross-section.
