Bearded Iris: Our Retail Ready packaged Bearded Iris come in a poly net bag with a full color label that includes planting instructions. Iris germanica, is a hardy, long-lived perennial that requires a minimum of maintenance. The flowers have six petals, three upright petals (called standards) and three hanging petals (called falls). A fuzzy line or beard runs down the middle of each fall. Most Bearded Iris flower in the spring (April to June depending on cultivar). Iris have thick, fleshy, underground stems (called rhizomes) that store food produced by the sword-shaped, semi-evergreen leaves. The rhizomes grow best when planted at or slightly below the soil surface with feeder roots penetrating the soil below. Each year underground offsets develop from the original rhizome. Buds produce a large fan of leaves and several flower stalks. Success with iris depends on keeping the rhizomes firm and healthy. In general, this is done by providing the rhizome good drainage while the feeder roots below remain moist but not wet.
Planting instructions: Plant Bearded Iris in well-drained soil, in a sunny location about 5" apart, with the bottom of the rhizome about 2" deep: the top should be just covered with soil. Water thoroughly after planting. The best time to plant bearded iris is in the early fall. This will allow them to become well established before winter. Container-grown iris can be planted in the spring.
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