Bearded iris is one of the most popular irises in home gardens. It's a magical time in the garden when bearded iris flowers unfurl their pencil-slim buds to reveal a kaleidoscope of color, beginning as early as March in warmer regions. Depending on the type of bearded iris, they can be in bloom into June. Some types even rebloom in late summer and fall.
It's easy to understand why people are so passionate about bearded irises. This very diverse group of irises offers gorgeous flowers. In addition to their long bloom time, bearded irises come in an incredible variety of colors and patterns.
Definition
Bearded iris (Iris x germanica) is an iris from the Mediterranean with distinctive flowers: the three upright petals called "standards" and three downward-facing, lower petals called "falls", often with veining, lines, or dots. In the center of each fall is the beard, a small, fuzzy caterpillar-shaped patch of soft bristles that gives the plant its name.
Where to Plant Bearded Iris
Bearded iris is winter-hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 where winter temperatures dip below freezing and let the plant go dormant before next year's growth.
Select a spot with full sun and well-drained slightly acidic soil. Bearded irises need good air circulation so give them room to breathe.
Perfect locations for bearded irises are perennial gardens, rock gardens and other areas with dry soil, and cutting gardens.
Bearded iris is toxic to humans and pets.
How and When to Plant Bearded Iris
Plant bearded iris in late summer or early fall, at least six weeks before the first hard frost so they have time to develop a strong root system.
Plant the iris rhizomes so they are at or just slightly below the soil surface. It is key that the top of the rhizome is still visible. Plant irises too deeply leads to rotting and will lead to poor flowering.
Spread out the roots on either side and let the fan of leaves face the same direction. But when planting multiple bearded iris varieties, arrange rhizomes with their fans pointing away from each other so that the plants don't eventually grow together (unless that is what you want).
Plant bearded irises 12 to 18 inches apart, with more ample spacing for tall varieties.
Bearded Iris Care Tips
Bearded irises are low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants that thrive in gardens and are seldom bothered by wildlife.
Light
Bearded Iris need at least six hours of sunlight per day. A full day of sun is even better to keep the rhizomes on the dry side.
Soil and Water
The plants need well-drained soil. After planting, water your iris and keep the soil moist for the first few weeks. Established irises only need water if the soil is extremely dry.
Do not mulch. Mulching helps the soil retain moisture, and too much moisture causes the rhizomes to rot.
Fertilizer
Use a low-nitrogen fertilizer and apply it twice a year in early spring and again just after bloom when the rhizomes are forming the following year's flowers.
Pruning
It's best to deadhead your bearded irises once the flowers fade. At the least, remove seed pods after the plant blooms. Seed formation saps the energy needed by the rhizomes, roots, and leaves.
Prune back the foliage in the fall. This will reduce the risk of overwintering pests and diseases.
Potting and Repotting
In climates with cold winters, growing bearded irises in containers is not ideal, as the rhizomes are exposed to freeze-and-thaw circles during the winter, which affects root growth and even kill them. On the other hand, if you live in a climate with mild winters, you can plant suitable iris varieties in pots.
Choose a 1-gallon pot with large drainage holes, one for each rhizome, and fill it with well-draining potting mix. The top of the rhizome should be exposed, just like when planting in garden soil. Potted irises need regular watering and more frequent fertilizer than irises in the landscape.
When the rhizomes fill the pot, it’s time to plant them in a larger pot or divide them into pots with fresh potting mix.
Pests and Problems
Bearded iris are susceptible to aphids, iris borers, and bacterial leaf spot. The best way to prevent these is to keep the garden area clean and give the plants ample space.
How to Propagate Bearded Iris
Dividing clumps of bearded iris plants every three to four years in late summer is an easy way to propagate new plants and improve the flowering of the original plant.
Dig up the clump of rhizomes under the plant and separate the rhizomes by hand or with a sharp knife, leaving a few leaves on each rhizome. After trimming the leaves back to about a third of their original height, put the divided rhizomes in a shady area for a week for the cut surfaces to heal. Replant (or give away) the new plants.
Types of Bearded Iris
Iris flowers have three primary structures, and the names of varieties are usually inspired by the unique characteristics of one of the parts. For example, the 'Fringe of Gold' flower has drooping "falls" that are white-edged (or picoteed) in yellow. The upright "standards" are solid yellow. And the tiny fuzzy "beard" in the middle is white and yellow.
Here are a few different iris varieties to grow.
'Bumblebee Deelite' Dwarf Bearded Iris
This variety is a dwarf tall bearded iris with yellow blooms. The petals have a white and deep purple-veined pattern that makes a bold contrast on each flower.
'Rebecca Perret' Bearded Iris
White petals fade into light purple on the tips of this softer bearded iris variety. This mid-height selection also looks beautiful indoors in a vase where you get a closer look at its multicolor petals.
'Perfect Pitch' Bearded Iris
'Perfect Pitch' is a true purple bearded iris with ruffled petals. It's a tall variety, and it looks especially stunning planted alongside a few paler purple irises.
'Ozark Dream' Dwarf Bearded Iris
If you love purple, 'Ozark Dream' is the bearded iris for you. The top petals of the bloom are a light purple, while the falls are dark violet.
'Latin Hideaway' Bearded Iris
This tall bearded iris variety has a stark contrast between the top petals (which are white) and the falls (in a brick-red hue). The red falls petals have a hint of magenta near the center, and the inside of the white petals has a light pink shade.
'Gallant Moment' Bearded Iris
The scarlet blooms of this bearded iris variety make it stand out in the garden. The petals fade into orange and gold tones toward the center of the bloom. The outer edges of the petals become such a dark red that they almost look chocolate brown in places.
Bearded Iris Companion Plants
Oriental Poppy
Although Oriental poppies have a short flowering period of two weeks between April and June, they make a colorful addition to a garden. These perennial poppies bloom longer where evenings remain cool during the summer months. They are deer-resistant and drought-tolerant. After these plants give their all at bloom time, the foliage dies back and looks ragged, so plan to fill the newly available space with annuals, dahlias, baby's breath, or other later-blooming plants. Zone 2-8
Lupine
With their gorgeously colored and interestingly structured flower spikes, lupines draw the eye skyward. Their large pea-like flowers come in amazing colors and combinations, clustered in long spikes on sturdy stems. Lupine prefers light, well-drained, slightly acidic soil, and the plant does not tolerate heat or humidity well. Zone 4-9
Delphinium
Sought after and planted for their blue flowers, delphiniums come in a variety of shades and forms. Many feature a white center, which adds a bright contrast to the deep, rich blue. If blue isn't your color, choose delphiniums in a few other colors, too—they also come in pinks and reds. There are also some stunning coral-colored varieties and rare yellow ones. These plants have attractive foliage in a pleasing green, with palm-shaped leaves like a fern. Zone 3-7
Frequently Asked Questions
- When does bearded iris bloom?Bearded iris varieties fall into three bloom classifications: early, midseason, and late. Depending on the location, early bearded iris plants begin blooming in early spring, while others start blooming in early, mid- or late summer. Some of the early bloomers bloom again in late summer to early fall. For continuous color, plant some of each of the three classifications.
Bearded iris varieties fall into three bloom classifications: early, midseason, and late. Depending on the location, early bearded iris plants begin blooming in early spring, while others start blooming in early, mid- or late summer. Some of the early bloomers bloom again in late summer to early fall. For continuous color, plant some of each of the three classifications.
- Are bearded irises deer-resistant?Yes, bearded iris, like all irises, are rarely browsed by deer.
Yes, bearded iris, like all irises, are rarely browsed by deer.