The truth about German bearded irises

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Last Updated: December 18, 2019

The Truth About German Bearded Irises

The truth about German bearded irises is that they are super easy to grow! I have loved irises since I was a little girl when we had one plain purple patch of them in in our back yard at the steps to the ally. I would run to them every day to see if they had bloomed then revel in their beauty when they did. Grandma had them in her flower beds. The do so well in cut arrangements although I do have a hard time cutting any of my flowers and prefer to enjoy them out in the flower beds.

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New Iris Patch

I have a patch of iris that have been here for 7 years moved from another site in the yard. They have become a mess! I’m going to try to find one of all and move them to a new bed by the pool that Harry fixed for me.

Having gone around and taking one or two Rhizomes from every iris I have, I came up short of having enough to fill the bed so I asked my friends for some help. My friend Fonda gave me free rein to pilfer in her yard and Angie went through hers and gave me starts again for this bed.

Naturally the weeds took over during the winter. After pulling them I planted all the starts.

Planting

So Many Varieties

This beautiful flower has 3 distinctive petals, called Fall, it also has 3 internal straight petals which are called standards. False can be beards or crests. Its flowers come in colors like Blue, Multicolored, Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink, and White.

Classification:

Scientific name Iris germanica

Common name Iris

Plant type Flower

Sun requires Full Sun/part Sun

Blooming time Summer

Soil loamy and sandy soil

Soil pH 6.8-7.0

Zone 4-9

Soil Selection

To grow Irises flowers require the best and well-drained soil. If you have heavy soil, then you need to mix the compost or mix another type of organic matter in the soil. If you want to use gypsum to improve soil, this is a good soil conditioner. The ideal soil for iris is pH 6.8, it is slightly acidic. If the soil is more acidic then mix the lime. You must test the soil before using any experiment.

Location

Give your Irises flowers plant a place in the sun. This plant requires dry soil and at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. A complete sunny day is good for drying the rhizomes so that the Rhizomes can structure a good fleshy root of the plant.

Fertilizer

Apply granular fertilizers to your iris plant twice a year, the ones in the early spring and second after flowering. If you use nitrogen-rich fertilizer, Irises flowers would be better if the soil is slightly neutral and below pH level 7.

Watering

Give the water after the transplant or when the soil has completely dried. Give room to your iris to breathe, because good air circulation is required to grow Bearded iris. Plant them at least 15 to 18 inches apart. You can keep less space for dwarf iris.

Caring for Irises

Plant them in a sunny spot in late summer. The plants need well-drained soil and at least six hours of sunlight per day. A full day of sun is even better to keep the rhizomes dry. (The rhizomes are the fleshy root-like structures at the base of the plant.)
Prepare their beds. A low-nitrogen fertilizer and a soil pH slightly less than 7, which is neutral. Apply a granular fertilizer twice a year—in early spring and just after bloom when the rhizomes are forming the next year’s flowers. Water only if it is extremely dry or after transplanting.
Give them room to breathe. Bearded iris bulbs require good air circulation. Plant them a minimum of 16 to 18 inches apart (less space for dwarf irises and more for tall bearded iris varieties).
Do not mulch. Mulching retains moisture, and too much moisture will cause a soft rot of the rhizomes.
Break off seedpods that form after the blooms have faded. This prevents seedlings from choking the surrounding soil. Seed formation also saps energy needed by the rhizomes, roots, and leaves.
Prune back the foliage in the fall. This will reduce the chances of overwintering pests and diseases.
Make dividing a habit. Divide clumps of bearded iris plants every three to four years in the late summer.

Pests

Bearded Irises are most affected by Iris borer insects. Its eggs are under the leaves in the spring. It affects the leaves through tunnels the rhizomes.
The leaves of the infected plant have yellow stripes and spots, which are easily separated from the rhizome.
If affected, the rhizomes become mushy or in the small hole due to burrowing larvae.
Borer leaves should be removed and destroyed for protection.
When dividing, the infected rhizomes should be removed.
Separate and destroy the infected foliage group during the growing season.

Division of German Iris

July and August most plants become inactive. This is the best time to divide the Iris plant.

Growing German iris is an easy way to add color to the spring and summer garden. Watering, fertilization with a high phosphorus fertilizer and division every few years is necessary for the care of German irises. Division results in more prolific blooms and decreases the chance of soft rot and borer problems. Divide rhizomes of German iris every two to three years. If flowering has slowed on your German bearded iris, division may also be needed. When flowering has finished, lift German iris rhizomes from the soil with a garden fork. Replant the area, if desired, or leave some of the rhizomes in the ground. Plant extra rhizomes into other areas that will benefit from blooms of growing German iris.

German Bearded Irises

In conclusion, the truth about German Bearded Irises is they are gorgeous and easy to grow. They spread and can be divided to make even more beautiful flowers. Use them in arrangements or leave them in the yard to enjoy. Do you have irises? Please share your tips and photos below. I’d love to see them!

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