Everything you need to know about choosing the right border iris for you. Algerian irises flower in winter, Dutch and Siberian irises flower in summer. The flowers come in a range of bright and exotic colours, and they bloom from mid-May to mid-June. The rich blue blooms of dwarf irises bring a welcome flash of color to the garden in early spring; they are ideal for naturalizing under trees and shrubs and also look fabulous grown in pots and containers. Plant them a minimum of 16 to 18 inches apart (less space for dwarf irises and more for tall bearded iris varieties). Monty Don shows us how to plant spring bulbs such as irises and crocus in pots. Bog or water garden Irises. The bulbs are easy to cultivate, and growing them in containers means their intricately marked flowers and delicate fragrance can be enjoyed more readily than when they are grown in the garden. Bearded iris with hairy lower petals. Planting a water iris in a wide pond plant basket or plastic pot to confine the growth is advisable, as some types of water iris, like yellow flag irises, can spread like crazy and may become difficult to control. If you are growing Irises, it is important to know what to do with the plants once the flowers die. Plants like crocus, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, iris and snowdrop are all very popular and will thrive in your containers with the right care. Remove any browned leaves during the growing season to discourage leaf spot. Irises prefer soils that are neutral to slightly acidic — a pH of about 6.8-7.0 is best. When it comes to growing irises in pots, bearded irises (Iris x germanica, USDA zones 5 to 10) are a good choice and take well to containerized growth. Harrington's specialties include small business information, crafting, decorating and gardening. You don’t want to overcrowd your iris bulbs so you will want to limit your bulb count as follows: 4 to 5 iris bulbs per 8 inch container; 6 to 7 iris … Pick a pot with plenty of drainage to avoid rhizome rot. Plant them in large containers and add other bulbs, perennials or annuals to fill out the area around their slender ankles. Planting several pots in the autumn will really give your patio the wow factor in spring. Planted in clumps in the garden or in containers they require little care and the commonly grown blue and yellow varieties provide a magical lift to the border in spring to summer. And also repot regularly, once the iris roots touch the side of the pot as they really don’t like that. Check the soil regularly with your fingers. Planting Iris reticulata. Immediately after flowering is the best time to lift and divide existing clumps. Planting iris plant companions that fill out and bloom later in the season can hide spent iris plants. Join the RHS today and support our charitable work, Keep track of your plants with reminders & care tips – all to help you grow successfully, For the latest on RHS Shows in 2020 and 2021, read more, RHS members get free access to RHS Gardens, Free entry to RHS members at selected times », Reduced prices on RHS Garden courses and workshops, Our Garden Centres and online shops are packed with unique and thoughtful gifts and decorations to make your Christmas sparkle, General enquiries Fill to within 1 inch of the container rim. Dig holes and plant the irises 4-5" deep and 3" apart. Let the seedpods ripen and turn fully brown and begin to split open before you cut them off and store them in a cool, dry place. This is important for preventing root rot, which irises can be susceptible to if over-watered. A 6" to 8" pot will work for Dwarf Iris; a 12" pot will work for Tall Bearded Iris. Plant one rhizome per pot. Copyright 2020 Leaf Group Ltd. / Leaf Group Media, All Rights Reserved. Dutch Iris. How to plant bulbs in a pot. Dutch iris plants are tall and slim. Crested iris (tender in the UK). Bearded irises like a well-drained, sunny site. Dig up the rhizomes and separate. Moreover, most species of irises can grow well in a loamy soil. Don’t grow tall or intermediate bearded irises in pots, but Iris of Sissinghurst say you can grow the short ones. Grow both 8-inch tall dwarf varieties and regular types successfully in pots on patios and balconies. Find out how to grow winter-flowering irises. Flower beds, border edges, rock gardens, window boxes, pots and containers. Fertilise with bone meal early spring and after blooming to encourage healthy growth. Choose a good quality potting mix and put your pots in an open sunny position where they will get some winter cold. Water Iris Growing Conditions. Fill the pot with a good draining potting soil or create your own from 45 per cent fir bark, 35 per cent peat moss and 20 per cent pumice. Previously, she owned her own business, selling handmade items online, wholesale and at crafts fairs. For bare-root irises, plant the rhizome horizontally with the top exposed. Discard, give away or plant other rhizomes in new pots. If you have tall bearded iris, you need a pot at least 30cm in size – larger if you want to pack a bit of colour in there. times, RHS Registered Charity no. Bearded iris need good air circulation. Due to its small size it is ideal for planting at the front of a border, among other low growing plants or with other low-growing early flowering bulbs. The bearded iris does well in pots, and is available in dwarf and miniature varieties that are especially suited to container growing. Iris can be successfully grown in containers. The best time to plant bearded irises is from June to October, for flowers the following year. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, and too much moisture will cause the rhizomes to rot. I just had a terrible day yesterday, discovering iris borers had infested nearly all of my "inherited" Melanie irises I got from my grandmother. Too little water is preferable to too much. The bulbs look like small pointed onions. Release date: 16 September 2017. Sow iris rhizomes, sometimes referred to as bulbs, in late summer and early fall so they are ready for spring or early summer blooming. By layering bulbs as shown here, you will get colour from lots of different flowers. How to grow tulips in container pots. They produce clumps of green, leaf-like foliage with a tall center stalk that supports the colorful flower blooms. Keep the container outside during the winter months. After the blooms fade and iris bulbs consume the plants’ energy in preparation for winter, a patch of iris can look shabby. Most are surprisingly easy to grow and make excellent cut flowers. Some gardeners opt for one or two blooms, while others layer bulbs in pots to enjoy a range of different colours blooming at different times throughout the spring. Choose an 8-inch pot for dwarf iris or a 12-inch pot for taller varieties such as bearded iris. Plant in fall, setting each bulb 4” below the surface of the ground. The most flamboyant types, Bearded irises - those with a caterpillar of hairs on the lower petals - like a … Leave the very top of the rhizome exposed. RHS Garden Hyde Hall Spring and Orchid Show, Free entry to RHS members at selected If you are looking for a low maintenance plant with large and colourful blooms, look no further than the popular iris. Iris flowers grow from bulbs rather than seeds. We don’t recommend growing iris in pots, but if you want to give it a try, follow and adapt our advice for FALL-planted bulbs, above. In addition, irises require soil with a good amount of aeration and drainage. These are full of a non-peat base, multi-purpose potting compost with some garden soil put in it and some manure for added nutrition. Irises are generally quite trouble free. Remove seedpods that form after the blooms have faded. Avoid over watering. I love bulbs in pots for the spring; there's just nothing better for real impact and it's kind of like gardening in miniature. Bearded irises flower at different times between April and June according to their variety. Make sure your pot has good drainage. Bring inside when buds appear on the flower stalk in the spring if desired. Her published articles have appeared in various print and online publications. As long as you have a well-drained soil and a sunny position, you can grow these easy-to-maintain plants in your garden. The bearded iris grows from fleshy tubers or rhizomes, which keep the plant well supplied with nutrients and moisture. Replant the healthiest appearing rhizome in the pot. A little overhead shade is alright in … Dig a shallow hole 10 inches in diameter and 4 inches deep. Plant rhizomes singly or in groups of three, 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on the size. In climates with hot summers, plant the rhizome just below the soil surface. 020 3176 5800 Sow iris rhizomes, sometimes referred to as bulbs, in late summer and early fall so they are ready for spring or early summer blooming. Choose a sturdy container with a minimum diameter of 12 inches. Jenny Harrington has been a freelance writer since 2006. This pot next to me is a very good example. 222879/SC038262. Water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry. Iris reticulata and Iris histroides are lovely in pots for the house (out of reach of marauding sparrows which tend to pick at their flowers) and will be in flower in February forced on a sunny windowsill. The soil in which you used for planting these flowering plants must be well-drained. These plants can grow in zones 3 through 10, which means they can survive temperatures that hit minimums of -40 degrees Fahrenheit (-40 degrees Celsius). To keep the seedpod, avoid the impulse to deadhead your irises immediately after blooms fade. Rain lilies are great in pots, and were once commonly grown that way, even in the North. For the best colors and plant health, you need to plant your iris bulbs about 3 to 4 inches apart in your container. When to cut irises back. ... Monty Don shows us how to plant spring bulbs such as irises and crocus in pots Grow both 8-inch tall dwarf varieties and regular types successfully in pots on patios and balconies. However, you will need a 12-inch pot if you’re planting the traditional tall bearded iris. If you are looking for a low maintenance plant with large and colourful blooms, look no further than the popular iris. There are three types of irises; ones with beards, ones without beards and ones that grow from bulbs. Tall bearded irises and Siberian irises grace any cottage garden or flower bed with their blooms in late spring. Sow in centre of the pot with the root end in the soil. Taking Care of Iris reticulata A cheerful container of spring bulbs is an easy way to create a splash of colour. Tuesday, 22 October, 2019 at 4:31 pm Dwarf winter flowering irises are perfect for growing in pots. Irises are simple to grow successfully even for the most novice gardener and come in many varieties and sizes. Iris do very well in containers and now is a great time to plant up a pot or two. I'm curious about planting in pots as well. (And please let us know how they do!) Do not mulch. Mon – Fri | 9am – 5pm, Join the RHS today and support our charity, From blues, apricots, yellows, whites to purples and even black - there is a border iris to cover everyones taste in colour. Divide the rhizome two months after blooming every two to three years to prevent overcrowding. All forms tolerate acid or alkaline soils except I. kaempferi (a lime-hater) and I. germanica (an acid-hater). The Dutch Iris are a true bulb and easy to grow in the UK. Plant dormant bulbs in the autumn. Begin by preparing an appropriate container for your iris; if you’re growing a dwarf iris an eight-inch pot is sufficient. The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. Site your Dutch irises where they will receive full sun. However, some of these flowering plants will thrive in sandy soil. Irises are simple to grow successfully even for the most novice gardener and come in many varieties and sizes. Grow both 8-inch tall dwarf varieties and regular types successfully in pots on patios and balconies. Check the soil regularly with your fingers. Pick your spot. As long as you have a well-drained soil and a sunny position, you can grow these easy-to-maintain plants in your garden She got these irises nearly 75 years ago and has moved them through three states, passed some rhizomes to me and I've moved them twice. Also, it must be slightly acidic or neutral, with a pH level between 6.8 and 7.0. Plant in slightly acidic soil with good drainage. Bulbous iris (grown from bulbs). Make sure the pot has good drainage holes and fill the bottom … We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place. Once in flower, it’s essential to keep them cool or they go over in 4 … Right Plant - Focus on Quality / Suitability / UK grown Right Place - South facing in a sunny spot (image 3) Good Drainage Essential - Free draining soil and PH neutral 3) Irises are best planted in a … Irises are beautiful, often flamboyant plants that are easy to grow given the right place. Iris bulbs are hardy enough to plant outdoors, but you can also plant them in pots that are kept indoors. Step Three – Add Your Iris Bulbs. What problems do irises have? Beardless iris with smooth petals. Irises are a popular perennial plant delivers a beautiful display of flowers. In the fall, as it begins to cool, plant the seeds in the garden in an area prepared with amended soil and that is weed free. Can a Plant Grow in a Pot If There's No Hole in the Bottom? Growing guide How to grow border irises From blues, apricots, yellows, whites to purples and even black - there is a border iris to cover everyones taste in colour. For soil, we recommend 45% fir bark, 20% pumice, and 35% peat moss. Iris. Rain Lilies. , ones without beards and ones that grow from bulbs the wow factor spring! Mix and put your pots in the spring if desired a little shade... The iris roots touch the side of the container rim addition, irises require soil with a of. 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