How to grow border irises the easy way.

Everything you need to know before you start choosing an iris border. Irises for border planting require a sunny position, but apart from this, the choice is wide in terms of color and height. There are two main types of border irises:

The most famous border iris is Iris germanica, sometimes known as bearded iris, which produces flowers in various colors and often has elaborate frills. The leaves are robust fans of green-blue foliage. Iris sibirica (Siberian Iris) has flowers in a range of blues and creams, along with long, light green grassy leaves.

Height: Border irises vary in size from less than 30 cm (1 ft) to over 1 m (3¼ ft) when in bloom.

How to Buy Border Irises: Irises are sold in two forms:

1. Rhizomes: These are creeping swollen root-like structures that are actually adapted stems. They produce roots, stems with leaves, and flowers along their length. Examples of plants with similar structures include Anemone nemorosa, bamboo, canna, and border iris. Rhizomes are sold when fully grown in containers.

2. Iris sibirica does not have rhizomes and is only sold in containers.

Planting:

When to plant irises:
– Plant new irises from July to October.
– Plant irises in pots between March and mid-November.

Where to plant irises:
– Border and Siberian irises prefer a sunny spot, although Siberian iris varieties can tolerate some dappled shade.
– Both types of iris thrive in well-drained soil, but Siberian irises can tolerate moist soil as well.

How to plant irises:
– Plant irises in pots as you would any other perennials.
– For border irises purchased as rhizomes, dig a hole large enough for the rhizome and roots. If you raise the soil slightly in the center of the hole, it can make it easier to place the rhizomes. Work the soil back between the roots so they are covered. Plant them with the upper part of the rhizome partially exposed to benefit from summer sun, which encourages good flowering.
– Plant irises in groups, with 30 cm (1 ft) between larger plants and 15 cm (6 in) between dwarf plants.

Ongoing Care:

Watering:
– Water newly planted rhizomes well in the first year. After this, you should not need to water regularly unless there are periods of severe drought. If you are potting irises, they will need regular watering. Use compost to keep the soil moist.

Feeding:
– Border irises do not require much fertilizer. Simply apply a layer of well-rotted garden compost around the irises, not over the crowns or rhizomes, in early spring.

Pruning and Training:
– Pruning: No specific pruning is required, but as the season progresses, you may want to remove occasional yellowing or damaged leaves from bearded irises. Siberian irises generally look good throughout the summer and into the fall. Once the flowers have faded, you can remove the flower stems and cut them back to where the stem meets the foliage.

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