Guide to growing garden plants - Iris
The Iris is a large genus of plants that range from hardy perennials to hardy bulbs.
Due to the large size of the Iris genus they vary immensely in size from 15cm to over 180cm; this makes Iris ideal for all sections of the garden but they make very attractive border plants.
Iris have sword shaped leaves and beautiful flowers of all colours and shades.
How to grow Iris
It is easiest to grow Iris from purchased bulbs or rhizomes. The depth that the bulb should be buried is dependent upon species, but in the range of 5 to 12cm. When planting Iris bulbs best results are obtained by planting in the early months of autumn. If you are growing from rhizomes then these should be planted level with the soil surface in the spring.
It is difficult to grow Iris from seeds but if you intend to do so, first soak the Iris seeds for a full day in warm water. Then sow into flats in the spring, place the flats in a black plastic bin bag, then place carefully in the fridge for three weeks. The flat should then be sunk into the ground in a shady area of the garden and covered with glass. It can take anything from one month to one and a half years for the Iris sees to germinate, so be prepared to be patient, and keep an eye on the flat to keep it moist. Once seedlings emerge allow them to grow for two years, before moving to their final location in the garden.
Caring for Iris in the garden
There is a little minor work involved in looking after Iris once they are growing in the garden. They should be fed in the spring (low nitrogen fertilizer); watered during prolonged dry spells of summer; staked; and deadheaded following flowering. If you require more Iris plants then they can be propagated by division of the bulbs (autumn) or rhizomes (once flowering has completed).