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Plainview Farm :: Perennials :: Hedera-Iris :: Iris :: Iris germanica
Iris | eye-riss | Tall Bearded Iris
Iris, a Greek goddess, generously shares her name with this great plant. In May, they begin flowering here with the cristatas leading the parade. By late July, the longest-flowering Japanese strains are near finished and so another iris season comes and goes in our garden. Flaunting the most dramatic, colorful flowers in the entire iris family, Tall Bearded iris are staging a resurgence in popularity. Plants, like clothes and music, enjoy fads and fashions. TB’s, as they are called by iris aficionados, have been ‘out’ for a while. Now, a new generation of gardeners is clamoring for the drama they bring to the June garden. TB’s require absolutely well-drained soil, as wet soil results in soft rot to the rhizomes. Always plant the rhizome near the top of the soil, leaving some of it exposed. After flowering, you may notice the leaves deteriorating. Cut them back by ⅔ and trash (no compost pile, please). Iris borer is an insect that can also affect the rhizome. If found, cut out the affected section and trash. Meticulous garden hygiene, i.e. removal of dead leaves and other organic trash surrounding the rhizome, improves health conditions for them considerably. Each year, we offer new and different varieties. Please visit to see current selections.
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