What I know about IRIS

The Iris paired with Pink Climber is one of my favorite photos of previous gardens. Sorry the quality of the image is not so good. This photo was taking in spring 2001 with a digital Mavica / Sony. This camera used a FLOPPY DISC to hold the images. AMAZING how things have changed in 8 years! The iris pictured above was from my sister in law , Gloria and the rose was from Home Depot! Sometimes I truly miss life in that smaller garden when I look back at the photos I took.

EASY PLANTING IRIS at BG garden

Step 1 shows making a shallow hole for the divided root of the iris. It is recommended to divide this plant up every 3-4 years or as they become 'crowded'. Irises prefer a full day of sun, but will grow and bloom well if given six or more hours of sunlight. The ideal time to divide iris is when the summer heat has ended and cooler fall weather arrives. Be sure to plant the iris in a well drained area of the garden because the root does not like to get it's 'feet wet'. STEP 2 I am placing the root / plant into the shallow hole. Be sure to pay attention to the leaf. The leaf is pointing up - the root does not go straight in the ground. The root will be laying in the shallow hole. STEP 3 I am showing the root laying in it's little cozy hole. Step 4 cover the root with some yummy garden soil. Use the same soil you are in the garden.

IMPORTANT AFTER PLANTING :
Water at planting time and keep moist but not soggy for the first month or until the plant is established. This will allow the root to take hold. The first year be sure to water to the point that you think you have over watered to ensure the roots are established.

Irises should be fertilized in early spring about 6 to 8 weeks before bloom, and again after the blooms are gone.

Once the plant is established IRIS are a very HARDY plant and do not need much attention. Keep the bed weeded and don't be afraid to cut back the dead leafs as the season continues. After the iris blooms trip the steams back as far to the ground as you can. I use some of my blooms for inside arrangements.

If there is one thing I couldn't stress more to my Garden Friends is to take photos. Document all your garden work from the beginning to the first blooms. It is more then rewarding to look back at your work from the past and see how much you have improved from year to year. These photos to the left are from my first garden at our first home eight years ago. I was able to transplant many of these blooms at our new home six years ago and have already begun to divide these iris. I hope you are encouraged to add some of these great iris to your gardens. I promise, you won't regret it!

Let me know if you have any questions or comments. I love hearing from you all in garden blog land!

Time to head out to the garden as this mid Spring day is warming up to 60* today.

Happy Planting!