The Garden At Rock Cottage

Bearded Iris

By Lance Brilliantine

One of my favorite paintings is one by Vincent van Gogh of irises, finished more than a hundred years ago. The green and purple colors are electrifying, just as in nature. The plant itself happens to be one of my favorite garden perennials. In fact, irises are one of the most important garden plants. With some of the re-blooming varieties now available, this is a must have plant for gardeners on the East End.

There are hundreds of varieties of iris - they come in colors such as pink, purple, blue, white, apricot and brown. There are even multicolored varieties that provide a spectacular garden display. This vast family of flowering plants differ in size, blooming season and habit and form of growth. Among the two groups of iris - bearded and non-bearded - the bearded irises are the most beautiful because of their enormous, stately flowers. They have a succulent, flowing bloom and velvety texture that no other plant offers.

Bearded irises typically grow about 28 inches tall. The smaller, dwarf varieties flower first, then the old-fashioned irises, and then the re-blooming irises. Those that are re-blooming will enable you to have a display throughout summer. The old-fashioned bearded irises bloom in late spring and early summer and they are easy to incorporate into a garden, and the leaves provide an interesting texture, even when the plant is not blooming.

A sunny location and soil that is neither wet nor damp is needed to successfully grow irises. They require minimum care if started and established properly in the first year. Adhering to a few simple rules will help guarantee success with these wonderful plants and produce the finest flowers and foliage.

Irises have a thick, fleshy root called a "rhizome" that grows well in the same soil that works for potatoes (ideal on the East End). In fact, the rhizome has a potato-like texture. When you buy irises, purchase a rhizome with clipped roots and leaves. The leaves grow from one end, with the roots coming out of the bottom of the rhizome. While the rhizome can be stored for a number of weeks before planting, it is best to plant it as quickly as possible.

To plant irises, choose a sunny spot in a location that has well-drained soil. Prepare the soil by turning it over to a depth of at least ten inches. Use a fertilizer that contains some potash and low nitrogen and work into the soil. High-nitrogen fertilizers produce lots of leaves, but few flowers. Never mix in cow manure or compost with the soil, since irises dislike both.

The funny-looking rhizome produces leaves and stalks from one end. When planting multiple rhizomes, be sure to plant the growing end in the same direction so that the rhizomes develop parallel and do not "run over" one another. If you have several, plant them at least ten inches apart. This provides adequate spacing for them to grow and expand over the years without crowding.

Plant the rhizome so the roots that extend beneath them sit under the soil, but so the top of the rhizome can be seen above the soil, because the rhizome needs to be exposed to sunlight to prosper. This creates a slight complication until the roots are firmly established in the soil. For this reason, be sure to watch the irises for marauding squirrels or dogs that may uproot them before they are firmly footed.

Irises do not tolerate wet or damp soil. These conditions will rot the rhizomes and destroy the roots. Therefore, irises are best in locations where there are raised flowerbeds, or where the soil tends to be dry instead of moist. Never place mulch over the rhizomes, because this tends to block them from sun and also increases soil moisture.

Irises should be divided every three-to-five years, when the root clumps seem crowded, or when the stems and flowers seem to be weak and thin. Divide by lifting the rhizomes, using a sharp knife to cut between the rhizome stalks. The iris is a garden plant worth exploring. Keep an eye out for some of the new varieties, which can add color and interest to any garden landscape. Every East End garden will benefit from the gardener's staple plant.

You can contact Lance Brilliantine with any questions or comments at GardenLance@yahoo.com.