Description
The bearded iris is a perennial of the iris family. The name covers hybrids created by crossing Iris germanica – native to southern and south-eastern Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia – with other iris species. The plant has thick, creeping rhizomes and a branched stem, usually with several flowers. The leaves are sword-shaped.
The bearded iris flowers in May and early June. Its flowers come in an unmatched range of colours.
Requirements
The plant needs fertile, humus-rich soils and a sunny or partially shaded position. It grows poorly in sandy and stony soils.
Propagation
It is propagated by dividing the rhizomes. This, and moving the plants, can be done from the beginning of August to the beginning of October. Plant the rhizomes horizontally, spread out the roots and cover with a 3–5 cm layer of soil. They can grow in one place for 5–7 years, but they need weeding and liquid feeding in spring.
Care
During growth and flowering it needs plenty of water. Spreading well-rotted manure between the plants benefits irises. They are used in single-species and mixed perennial borders and in groups on lawns. They are also suitable as cut flowers.