Beginner's Guide to Growing Bearded Irises

The care and culture of bearded irises seemed to me a simple matter, especially in the beginning. I was growing a small set of plants given to me by my mother. This bed of highly fragrant antique tall bearded irises lulled me into a false sense of security as a grower. I must have broken every rule concerning iris culture those first few years. I moved the iris in the springtime, planting them in heavy hardpan clay. No care was given to garden hygiene in the early days in the garden, neither watering nor feeding the plants ever came to mind. The next season I was given a cloud of bloom in salmon pinks, and lavenders. The scent so heady that I would just sit, eyes closed, quietly taking in the perfume of so many irises in bloom. I felt like the invincible gardener until I set out to purposefully grow over a hundred of the newer tall bearded hybrids.

A few years passed and my passion for tall bearded irises continued to grow. In the meantime my original bed had increased until the plantings were crowded rhizome to rhizome. So I set upon the task of digging, and dividing, and replanting. More than two hundred plants lay neatly on the porch drying. Large beautiful fans that I could not bear to throw away. I was seriously bitten during this adventure by something I call the “iris bug.” Once it bites you a serious ailment sets in, suddenly you are the King or the Queen of all things iris. I began ordering new hybrids, and dreaming big dreams.

About this same time I came into contact with a person who not only knew iris, but he had over three hundred varieties growing in his garden! He would firmly set my toes into the rich soil of proper iris culture, sharing plants, excitement, and encouragement along the way.

Planting Bearded Irises