Tall Bearded Iris Planting Growing Instructions

I have been growing and selling tall, median and dwarf bearded iris for more than 30 years and this is how I grow and maintain my bearded iris plants.

Prepare the garden bed by loosening the soil using a tiller, garden fork or shovel. The depth of the garden bed should be at least 12-15 inches. If you want to plant bearded irises dig holes of 12-inch diameter and 12 inches deep in the soil in full sun.

How Do I Plant Bearded Iris Rhizomes

• Dig a small hole to plant bearded Iris rhizome
• Add fertiliser or compost in the bottom of the hole 5 cm under the rhizome
• Form a shallow mound of soil over the fertiliser within the planting hole
• Place the rhizome on top of the mound so that the leaf fan is straight
• Spread the roots over the mound this keeps the rhizome in place
• Press the rhizome down on the mound so the rhizome makes good contact with the soil so new roots will form
• Barely cover the roots and the rhizome over with 1 to 2 cm of soil to prevent sun scold

Make sure that your bare root Bearded Irises are planted at least 6 weeks before the frosty winter season unless moving plants grown in pots. After planting thoroughly water the rhizomes. Bearded Iris should be planted in raised garden beds to prevent excess water laying around the rhizomes this will prevent the rhizomes from rotting.

Divide and replant the Iris when the clumps are too congested and size and number of flowers have declined.

Bearded Iris Water Requirements

Once established the bearded Iris plants require a deep watering once a fortnight is my preferred method of care. Avoid over watering the plants.

Garden Care and Care of Iris Rhizomes to Prevent Diseases

• Pull away the dead leaves after flowering and keep good Iris care by keeping the irises neat and tidy.
• Do not plant Irises in shady parts of the garden.
• Do not cut down the foliage other than replanting, the foliage is needed to produce flowers for the following season by cutting the foliage this is more likely to reduce next seasons flowers by 15%.
• At least every 2-3 years, your bearded Iris clumps will need to be lifted and divided. I divide mine every year.

It is important to keep the base where the rhizomes are clean and tidy. Remove any dead brown dying, diseased looking leaves often, to prevent snails, fungal spores, slugs around the plant. Snap off the old spent flower stems (they snap off easily) at the base of the rhizome.

Fertilising Bearded Iris – What do I feed My Bearded Iris

I fertilise with low–nitrogen fertilisers that has a good amount of potassium and phosphorous. This is the best and safe fertilisers to feed your Iris plants. Rose and Tomato fertiliser are very suitable for bearded Iris. I feed them during early spring and also feed a second dose straight after the irises have finished flowering. This gives the iris plant a boost in growth when the new season rhizomes are being generated.