Irises are having a fantastic bloom year. It’s a welcome surprise, especially when many trees and shrubs were damaged by frost. Imagine that– many other plants are having a tough year, but the same conditions led to an abundance of iris flowers!
Irises produce huge flowers in a rainbow of colors that always lift my spirit. I’m continually delighted by the unique hues and interesting patterns of their blooms. Three petals growing upright and three petals facing downward in an infinite array of fascinating combinations. I loved reading this article about the history of cultivated irises, which dates back to 1469 B.C. Our ancestors were just as interested in irises as modern gardeners.
If you’re considering adding irises to your yard, here’s a video that covers how to plant them correctly. Getting the rhizome at the correct height is critical. Too low and you’ll get leaves without any flowers. Too high and your irises will never thrive. In the video I show you how to get it just right.
One of the best things about irises are how easy they are to grow. Yes, they need to be deadheaded after they flower and divided every few years. But plant them in a spot with good drainage, water them occasionally, and forget about them until the blossoms unfurl their velvety petals. Here’s a video to help you care for irises once they’re done flowering.
If you’re in the Colorado Springs area, swing by the Elmohr Iris Society Demonstration Garden next to the East Library over the next few weeks. It’s worth a visit to see which cultivars are flowering. The dedicated members of the society meticulously keep track of each cultivar. Each clump is labeled, which is an impressive feat in itself. My kids and I stopped by this week and were delighted to see several beautiful clumps in bloom.
If you’re not nearby, consider visiting a demonstration garden if they’re open to visitors. It’s amazing how irises can create color over a long period if you stagger the different types and sizes.
I can’t resist sharing a photo I took this afternoon of the variegated iris in bloom at the Colorado Springs Utilities Water Wise Demonstration Garden. Not only do the leaves create a nice highlight throughout the summer, but their beautiful purple flowers have an intoxicating grape scent!
As you add to your landscape this year, don’t forget about the humble iris. You’ll be following in the footsteps of plantsmen and women who have stewarded these plants for millennia.
Thanks for two helpful videos! I love your idea of cutting at an angle, and I’m glad that cutting off the brown tips is OK, I’ve been doing that but never knew if it was really the right thing to do.
Since one of my clumps is having a fabulous year and the other isn’t blooming at all this time around, I am wondering if the rhizomes may have sunk since I don’t think I planted with a mound. But a shrub in that corner suffered with the late freeze so maybe that area just had a harder time with the weather. I guess I could dig them up this fall and follow your video — thanks again.
Hi Jane, glad to hear it was helpful. It might be worth digging up the clump that isn’t blooming well and replanting. It might be a little low, or it might just be time to divide it. Let us know what happens!
Love this read. Thank you!