Bulbs

Iris
Iris (bearded)
iris

- Height 4-60 in (7.5-150 cm)
- Planting distance 6-15 in (15-38 cm)
- Flowers midspring to midsummer
- Any good garden soil
- Open, sunny site
- Rhizomes available early to late summer
- Hardy zones 5-9

Bearded irises are a large group of irises that spread underground by means of rhizomes. Above ground, they are characterized by thick leaves arranged in a flat fan shape and flowers with tufts of hair (beards) on the three outer petals (fall). The flowers, some of which are scented, come in a wide range of colors. They are carried on strong stems above the spears of foliage between midspring and midsummer. Nearly every kind of bearded iris will flourish in zones 6 and 7. But because of a diverse heritage that includes ancestors from the Alps and the warm shores of the Mediterranean, there are cultivars that will flourish up to two zones farther north and a zone farther south. Bearded irises grow in most garden soils, but must be given an open, sunny site. The most widely grown bearded irises belong to the Eupogon group, recognized by their gray-green leaves, which die down to small fans in winter.

Popular species and cultivars
Bearded irises have been divided into several groups, according to their height.
Dwarf bearded irises flower in mid- and late spring. This group is often further subdivided into miniature dwarfs, which grow only 4-10 in (10-25 cm) high and bear flowers no more than 3 in (7.5 cm) wide, and standard dwarfs, which may grow from 10-15 in (25-38 cm) tall, with flowers from 3-4 in (7.5-10 cm) wide. Plant the rhizomes in small clumps 6-8 in (15-20 cm) apart in well-drained soil in a rock garden or at the edge of a raised border. Replant every 2-3 years. Iris pumila, an outstanding miniature dwarf, has flowers in shades of purple, white, yellow, and yellow with brown tints in midspring. It is stemless and stands 4 in (10 cm) high. As it grows naturally on mountains, well-drained soil in a rock garden provides an ideal site. It is advisable to divide the rhizomes every 2 years after flowering. Hybrids come in similar colors to I. pumila but tend to be taller - some reaching 10 in (25 cm) high. Popular cultivars include 'Bee Wings' (yellow with brown spots on the falls), 'Blue Denim' (lilac-blue), and 'Bright White' (white).
Intermediate bearded irises, sometimes called border irises, flower in late spring. They reach 15-28 in (38-70 cm) high. Plant 1 ft (30 cm) apart at the front of a herbaceous border or in a large pocket in a rock garden. Divide and replant every third year. Iris x germanica (London flag, or purple flag) has rich blue-purple falls with a white beard and light purple standards (upright inner petals). The sweetly scented flowers appear in early summer, 2-3 ft (60-90 cm) above ground. The foliage is evergreen. Hybrids have well-shaped flaring flowers throughout late spring. These vigorous, free-flowering irises come in a range of yellows, creams, whites, purples, and blues. Popular hybrids include 'Am I Blue' (light blue with darker blue beard), 'Arctic Fancy' (purple and white), 'Golden Fair' (deep yellow), and 'Red Rooster' (deep red-brown).
Tall bearded irises flower in early summer on stalks 28 in (70 cm) or more tall. The tallest cultivars sometimes need staking. Plant the rhizomes 15 in (38 cm) apart. An enormous variety of hybrids are available in a range of colors. Some outstanding cultivars are 'Amethyst Flame' (amethyst), 'Black Dragon' (dark blue-black), 'Bride's Halo' (white with gold band), 'Christmas Rubies' (White with red beard), 'Mulled Wine' (deep burgundy with red beard), and 'Ragtime' (yellow and violet-blue with yellow beard).

Bulbs