Plant of the Week: Iris

Named for the Greek word for rainbow, Iris look stunning planted in clusters in a perennial garden or as a large patch in the garden. Best of all, Iris are deer resistant! Two of the more popular varieties are the Bearded (or German) Iris and the Siberian Iris.

Bearded Irises are known for their large, ruffled flowers and broad, swordlike foliage. They come in a multitude of colors and average 2’-3’ tall.

Siberian Irises bear smaller flowers than the Bearded variety, but in just as many colors and in larger quantities. Their foliage is more grass like and it’s mounded shaped adds interest even after the flowers had faded. Siberian Irises average 2’-4’ tall.

Care

All Irises need full sun, at least 6 hours per day.

While highly adaptable to a variety of soil conditions, Irises do best in moist, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.5-7.0.

Fertilize in spring once new growth begins to emerge with a slow-release flower fertilizer, like Dynamite, or with an organic flower fertilizer like Dr Earth Total Advantage.

Some of our favorite varieties:

Halson - A deep purple Bearded Iris, Halston is a shorter variety averaging about 2 feet tall at maturity.

Savannah Sunset - A bright orange Bearded Iris, Savannah Sunset averages about 3 feet tall.

Caesar’s Brother - This Siberian Iris bears rich purple flowers and blooms profusely. The foliage averages about 2 feet tall but the flowers will reach about 3 feet during blooming.

Yellow Flag - A cheerful yellow Siberian Iris that is the perfect addition to ponds. Averages 3 to 4 feet tall.

Tectorum - This low growing eyes has striking light purple flowers. It averages `1 to 1.5 feet at maturity.