Iris Facts, Tips, and Helpful Hints
June 22, 2011 
- The name Iris means rainbow in Greek.
- Irises thrive in different climates, including Europe, the Middle East, Asia, America, and North Africa and grow well in many places such as deserts, stream banks, grassy slopes, gardens, and meadows.
- Irises grow from fan-shaped, thick rhizomes (tuberous roots) or a typical bulb. Both store food for the plant.
- The Iris flower comes in many colors, including blue, purple, white, yellow, lilac, and brown and grow one to three feet tall.
- Irises multiply rapidly so buy less than you need to fill a bed or planting area.
- Plant bulb Irises in October with other bulbs. Plant or divide and transplant rhizome Irises late July through September.
- Shop for varieties labeled ‘re-bloomers.’ Native species produce spectacular flowers with smaller foliage.
- Plant in a sunny well-drained area. Dig a five-inch deep hole. Build a small mound in the middle and place rhizome on the top letting the roots fall down around the mound. Cover roots and leave the rhizome slightly exposed. Plant 18-24 inches apart.
- Divide every three to five years to reduce bacterial soft rot and to keep them producing flowers. If your Irises are producing fewer flowers, they’re overcrowded. Carefully inspect each rhizome for soft rot and Iris borers.
In and Around the Garden 
What a beautiful Iris. Mine got dug out and I gave them to my friend’s daughter. Our Garden Club had visited a lady, if I remember correctly her name was Iris, and she had rows and rows of different colored Iris and that is where I got mine originally. One of mine was a beautiful pale pink. Sometimes I feel like asking for a few back when Trish thins hers out (she is the daughter I gave them to). I did take them out because of the work of thinning got to be quite a job. The same thing happened with my day lilies, the older we got the more we didn’t want the work of thinning. I can enjoy looking at other people’s irises and day lilies!!
LikeLike
I think a lot of gardeners have enjoyed irises then decide to cut back . I don’t have any plans to plant more. One little grouping is plenty, especially when the stocks are so pretty.
LikeLike
Really pretty! I’m going to forward today’s posting to a friend, whose favorite flower is ‘the iris’. bernadine
LikeLike
Great! Hope your friend enjoys it!
LikeLike
My irises are pass alongs and I have many different heirloom iris I even found one kind growing in a woods There must have been a house therrre at one time. When I thin out my iris I give them to whomever wants them
LikeLike
Beautiful iris & great info.
LikeLike
How nice that lots of followers are willing to ‘share’ their iris plants. Please let us know when ‘sharing’ starts. Thanks. bernadine
LikeLike