It’s easy to understand why people are so passionate about bearded irises. This very diverse group of plants offers gorgeous flowers. In addition to their long bloom time, bearded irises come in an incredible variety of colors and patterns. These plants get their name from a patch of soft bristles on the lower petals of the flowers.
Where to Plant Bearded Iris
These hardy perennials flourish in USDA Zones 3-9, where winter temperatures dip below freezing and let the plant go dormant before next year’s growth.
How and When to Plant Bearded Iris
Plant bearded iris in a sunny spot in late summer. Bearded irises need good air circulation so give them room to breathe. Plant them a minimum of 16 to 18 inches apart (less space for dwarf irises and more for tall beaded iris varieties).
Bearded Iris Care Tips
No matter which varieties you choose to grow, you can do a few things to help bearded irises thrive in your garden. Follow these tips for the healthiest plants and best blooms.
Light
Bearded Iris need at least six hours of sunlight per day. A full day of sun is even better to keep the rhizomes on the dry side. (The rhizomes are the fleshy rootlike structures at the base of the plant.)
Soil and Water
The plants need well-drained soil. Only water them if the soil is extremely dry or after transplanting. Do not mulch. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, and too much moisture causes the rhizomes to rot.
Fertilizer
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer and apply it twice a year in early spring and again just after bloom when the rhizomes are forming the following year’s flowers.
Pruning
Prune back the foliage in the fall. This will reduce the chances of overwintering pests and diseases.
Pests and Problems
Bearded iris are susceptible to aphids, iris borers, and bacterial leaf spot. The best way to prevent these is to keep the garden area clean and the plants uncrowded. If seedpods aren’t removed after the plant blooms, seedlings may choke the surrounding soil. Seed formation also saps the energy needed by the rhizomes, roots, and leaves. It’s best to deadhead your bearded irises once the flowers fade.
How to Propagate Bearded Iris
Dividing clumps of bearded iris plants every three to four years in late summer is an easy way to propagate new plants and improve the flowering of the original plant. Dig up the clump of rhizomes under the plant and separate the rhizomes by hand or with a sharp knife, leaving a few leaves on each rhizome. After trimming the leaves back to about a third of their original height, put the divided rhizomes in a shady area for a week for the cut surfaces to heal. Then you can replant (or give away) the new plants.
Types of Bearded Iris
Iris flowers have three primary structures, and the names of varieties are usually inspired by the unique characteristics of one of the parts. For example, the ‘Fringe of Gold’ flower has drooping “falls” that are white-edged (or picoteed) in yellow. The upright “standards” are solid yellow. And the tiny fuzzy “beard” in the middle is white and yellow. Here are a few different iris varieties to grow.
‘Bumblebee Deelite’ Dwarf Bearded Iris
This variety is a dwarf tall bearded iris with yellow blooms. The petals have a white and deep purple-veined pattern that makes a bold contrast on each flower.
‘Rebecca Perret’ Bearded Iris
White petals fade into light purple on the tips of this softer bearded iris variety. This mid-height selection also looks beautiful indoors in a vase where you can get a closer look at its multicolor petals.
‘Perfect Pitch’ Bearded Iris
‘Perfect Pitch’ is a true purple bearded iris with ruffled petals. It’s a tall variety, and it looks especially stunning planted alongside a few paler purple irises.
‘Ozark Dream’ Dwarf Bearded Iris
If you love purple, ‘Ozark Dream’ is the bearded iris for you. The top petals of the bloom are a light purple, while the falls are dark violet.
‘Latin Hideaway’ Bearded Iris
This tall bearded iris variety has a stark contrast between the top petals (which are white) and the falls (in a brick-red hue). The red falls petals have a hint of magenta near the center, and the inside of the white petals has a light pink shade.
‘Gallant Moment’ Bearded Iris
The scarlet blooms of this bearded iris variety make it stand out in the garden. The petals fade into orange and gold tones toward the center of the bloom. The outer edges of the petals become such a dark red that they almost look chocolate brown in places.
