Iris
There are many different types of Iris to grow in your garden. With early flowering ones like reticulatas and summer flowering like the bearded iris, you can have stunning colours through to the autumn. Iris was the goddess of the rainbow and she carried messages for Hera and Zeus from heaven to earth and was a companion to women’s souls on their way to heaven. Greek people still plant purple iris on women’s graves to help them get to their final resting place in heaven.
Iris Types
Dwarf Iris
These include the earl spring flowering reticulata’s, they come in blue, yellow or purple and are often one of the first flowers in spring.
Bearded Iris
We grow a large range of these. They have a rhizome that you plant above the ground, facing south so they can bake in the sun which helps them to flower and grow strong. Some have a slight fragrance like Jane Philips with lovely pale blue petals. We grow a range of colours from black to pale pink, deep blue to brown. Bi colour ones like Bold print and Rajah. Check out our weekly availability list to see our huge range from March to May.
Siberica Iris
Sometimes know as flag iris, these are easier to grow than bearded ones but not quite a showy. They still come in a range of colours, blue being the most common to white and pink. We have a lovely yellow one called Dreaming Yellow and Sparkling Rose is a lovely lilac pink flower. My favourite would be Silver Edge, it has dark blue petals which are edged in white a stunning addition to any border.
How to Grow
Bearded Iris like full sun, for bearded plant the rhizome over the ground facing south so it can bake in the sun. They also like well drained fertile soil. If you have clay soil, mix in some grit to aid the drainage. Don’t over water iris as this can cause the rhizome to rot. It’s best to plant iris in the autumn as they become dormant as the summer goes on. Don’t cut the leaves back as this help the photosynthesis which helps generate energy for the next season’s growth. You can divided the rhizomes after a couple of years. They will produce baby rhizomes which you can take off the main rhizome with a knife and re plant.
Siberica iris like moist well drained soil and can be divided to give you more plants. You may need to lift the plant and then just use a spade or sharp knife to divide. Plant in autumn.
Reticulata’s are good in a pot to give you the first splash of colour in the spring. You can lift the bulbs and store for next year.
Iris are great for spring to early summer, bold displays in your borders. They are often used in show gardens as they add dramatic affect and look great with so many other perennials and grasses.
