How to Plant and Grow Bearded Iris

Perennial Bearded Iris are a mainstay in many gardens and public landscapes and for good reason. Known for their distinctive furry "beard", bearded iris are one of the most reliable and dramatic of the spring-blooming perennials. Low maintenance bearded irises will grow and flower where other perennials won’t.  At this point in the season, bearded iris are available as rooted perennials, ready to take home and plant. 

Like any other addition to your garden, the better the culture, the more spectacular the display. Choose a spot in the garden where your new plants will receive at least six hours of full sun daily. Bearded iris plants grow from rhizomes and thrive in soils that have been amended, so add 3-4 inches of Sheep, Peat and Compost to the existing soil and dig it in 5-6 inches. 

Next, add some Steamed Bone Meal or Dutch Bulb Food to the planting site. Carefully remove the plant from its container and place it in the ground at the same level it was in the container. Bearded irises should be planted so the tops of the rhizomes are visible and the roots are facing downwards in the soil. It’s also important to note that bearded iris will grow in the direction of the heel so place your rhizomes with the leaves planted in the direction you want the plant to grow. Once in the ground, be sure to water the planting site thoroughly. 

For established bearded irises now’s the time to feed them, using Steamed Bone Meal or Dutch Bulb Food. Place the fertilizer around the root zone and avoid contact with the rhizome itself.  Bearded Iris are generally low maintenance plants season after season, but over time they can become crowded. When this happens, they produce fewer, smaller blooms or won't flower at all. When you notice your bearded iris aren't blooming, it's an indication the plant needs to be divided. Dividing bearded iris is best done in late summer or early fall. These perennials grow in clumps and the root of a bearded iris is called a rhizome. The best tool to use to dig bearded iris rhizomes is a spading fork. Spading forks make it easy to get under and lift the rhizome without causing damage to the roots. Once you’ve got the clump of bearded iris out of the ground, you’ll be able to see the rhizomes clearly. You’ll want to remove any old or diseased rhizomes and treat the remaining, healthy rhizomes with dusting Sulfur. You can divide the clump with a knife or by simply breaking off each root with your hand. Trim the leaves in a fan shape down to between 4" and 6". Mark the leaves with the name of the iris, so you’ll remember which one it is. Add some Steamed Bone Meal or Dutch Bulb Food and place the rhizome so that the roots are facing downward, then add enough soil to cover the roots, while leaving the very top of the rhizome exposed. Next, water the area thoroughly.  Your bearded iris plants will establish through the fall and be ready to bloom next spring. Bearded iris plants are among the most elegant and colorful perennials you can grow. Planted right, they will bloom dependably for years to come.