Re: Planting Irises

Patty writes:

:I will be receiving approx. 17 TBs, some rebloomers, some not.  Could you
:provide me with some ideas on planting.  (How far apart, plant in groups,
:color, bloom time, etc)?  I have not been to any iris gardens, and I know it
:depends on individual taste, but I would appreciate your garden scheme ideas.

Rhizomes should of the same variety can be planted a foot apart or less,
so they'll look like a single clump when they bloom. Different varieties
are usually planted with more space between (say 18 inches or two feet),
so that it's easier to keep the kinds separate as the grow. That's the
practical angle.

As far as garden design goes, I do try to achieve pleasing color combinations.
But you almost can't do that with a new planting: you need to see what they
actually look like blooming, what times they bloom, etc. before you can
do any educated arranging. In my garden, I have one "just for irises" area
where the irises are planted pretty closely (I'm really short of space),
and then I also have irises nestled in different spots in the general
flower beds.

I put taller varieties toward the back; also solid colors toward the back,
with the more patterned ones up closer to the front of the bed. (Not that
it always works out according to plan, mind you.  :)  )

With rebloomers, you want to consider putting them in a spot that is
somewhat protected and where things grow well. Beware, though--my "protected"
rebloomer bed turned out to be too shady!

I've thought that the ideal way to decide how to use irises in the garden
is to have a large "iris only" test bed out of the way somewhere. After
seeing a new iris for two years in the test bed, I'd then have a good idea
where it would look best in the garden (or if it's even worth keeping).
If I had a larger garden, I'd try something like that.

So I guess my quick advice, with only 17 new irises involved, is to plant
them where you think they'll grow and bloom best, and then consider how
you'd alter the arrangement after you see them bloom.

Happy irising, Tom.


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Tom Tadfor Little         tlittle@lanl.gov  -or-  telp@Rt66.com
technical writer/editor   Los Alamos National Laboratory
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Telperion Productions     http://www.rt66.com/~telp/
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