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Iris, Bearded
Iris Black Gamecock
Velvety midnight-purple to black blooms 6 inches wide glow in the early-season sun on plants so trouble-free that all you need is wet soil and a pair of shears! Iris Louisiana hybrid / 6" blooms early summer / 3’ H x 3’ W / Zones 4-9 / Shipped rhizome / Full sun to part shade | 
Iris’Ruffled Dimity’
A late-blooming delight with huge blooms! These 6½- to 7-inch blooms are some of the largest in the Iris family. Tall and stately, it loves very moist soil, showing off its lavender blooms with inky-blue veins and center. Iris ensata / 2" blooms midsummer to early fall / 49" H / Zones 3-9 / Shipped rhizome / Full sun to part shade |
- Every three to five years, cut the rhizome in two or more pieces so that each has a small fan of leaves and some roots. Replant the sections.
- Divide older Bearded Iris rhizomes in late summer or early fall. Cut away woody sections of rhizome and replant remaining sections.
- Order Bearded Irises from bulb catalogs now, so that they will arrive in time for fall planting. Plant rhizomes in warmer areas, such as zones 8-9.
- Iris borers are pink larvae that feed on Iris leaves and rhizomes. A thorough clean-up in late fall will remove most of their eggs. After Irises flower, dig up infested rhizomes and cut out the borers. Dust rhizomes with sulfur and replant.
- Never apply fertilizer directly to the rhizome, as the fertilizer can burn it. After they bloom, cut the entire flowering stem, leaving just the fan of leaves. The leaves will build up the rhizome's food storage for the winter.
- Bearded Irises need at least a half day of sun, but their color will be more vibrant if they receive a full day of direct sun.
- Flowers early to late spring. Easy care. Good for cut flowers. Full sun. Well drained soil.
- Zones 3-9
Enjoy Dutch Iris The lovely Dutch Iris is a bulbous iris, a plant without perennial roots. These are the most popular of the bulbous kinds and are hybrids between Iris Xiphium and two north African species, I. tingitana and I. fontanesii. They do resemble the lovely Spanish Iris but have thicker stems, larger flowers and a taller, upright plant that grows 18 to 24" in height. The orchid-like flowers come in many lovely colors including blues, violets, yellows, white and bronze. All have yellow or orange blotch on the falis. Most blooms of Dutch Iris measure 3-4" across, with an average of 2 flowers per stem.
The Dutch Iris is one of the most easy Iris to grow, providing lovely cut flowers during March and April in mild climates and in June for other sections of the country. They are not quite as hardy as tulips, but certainly as easy to grow. Enjoy growing them in groups in the flower border, or by forcing them indoors. For those of you lucky enough to have a greenhouse, Dutch Iris can provide a wealth of color out of the normal blooming season. (See Forcing).
Culture Outdoors Select a sunny area sheltered from the wind. Dutch Iris prefer a light, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The soil should be slightly on the acid side. A pH of 6.0 to 6.9 would be acceptable. Plant bulbs as soon as received in the fall. Plant to a depth of 6" and space each bulb from 3 to 4" apart. It is important to water your planting so the roots make good growth before cold weather sets in. The use of Bulb Booster will help encourage good root growth.
Do not become alarmed if foliage starts to come up in the fall. This is not unusual and will not present any serious problems. If you live above the Philadelphia area, it would probably be wise to place a mulch over the planting, after the ground freezes. Use salt-hay or pine branches. This mulch will keep the soil at a constant temperature and prevent your plants from heaving out of the soil during the winter months. The mulch must be removed in the spring, when growth becomes active and the soil warms up.
During the spring and early summer months, keep the soil moist especially during periods of hot, dry weather. Never keep it soaking wet. If plants are growing well, no fertilizer need be added. If you do feel your plants need additional plant food, use a light dusting of a complete fertilizer such as 5-10-5. Other than removing faded flowers, the Dutch Iris is undemanding. Like all bulbous iris, they may be left undisturbed for many years (6-8) or lifted each year after they bloom, cleaned, stored and replanted in the fall.
Forcing Indoors Select 4 or 5" deep flat pots (bulb pans). Place at least a one inch layer of broken crock on the bottom. To this use a soil mixture containing 2 parts rich garden soil, 1 part coarse sand, peat moss or Burpee Planting Formula. If no garden soil is available, use 2 parts good commercial potting soil, 1 part coarse sand. Fill the pot about half full with this mixture, then plant the bulbs. Bulbs should be spaced 1/2" from side of pot. Each bulb should be planted to a depth of 3-4”. After planting water and keep container moist, never allowing it to dry out. Water from either the top or bottom but be sure to allow any excess water to drain off.
Bulbs may be brought into bloom 16 weeks from planting, however, it is necessary to keep the planting in the dark for about 8 to 12 weeks. It is important that the roots develop well to support those lovely blooms. Keep your container at a temperature of 40 -45°. If you have a spare refrigerator, this will work out very well. After the 8 or 12 weeks you will notice a little emergence coming up from the soil line. Gradually bring the pot into a warmer temperature, 55 to 65° and gradually expose it to more light. In about 1 to 2 weeks you can place the container in a sunny window. Turn pots or containers daily, if possible, to keep flower stalk straight.
Water plant frequently and feed weekly with half strength solution of a House Plant fertilizer.
After plant has bloomed, cut off flower stem. Move pots to full sunlight until foliage withers. Store bulbs still in the pots or containers in a cool, dry place until late summer. Early fall plant them to the garden outdoors. DO NOT attempt to force the same bulbs again indoors. |
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