Iris Care
I have learned alot about irises in the last year from an iris list on
e-groups and from books. Actually you are not 'supposed' to mulch bearded
iris, unless you live in very hot/cold areas of the country. And, then it
should be very light. It causes too much moisture to stay on them and thus
causes rot--where the leaves and rhizomes turn to a smelly mush and the leaf
fans fall off. Siberians and other beardless iris do benefit greatly from
mulch since they prefer a moist environment. Also, bearded iris 'breathe'
through their rhizomes and the top should be left exposed to the air and
light.
Moving is usually done about 4-6 weeks after bloom. Planting new irises is
done July-September. Alot of times when new irises are planted or they are
moved, they do not bloom the next season, waiting a year to settle in. I
and others that I know have moved irises all times of year and they have
been ok, but I live in a very mild climate and it would not work too well
for others who live in more severe climates.
A great and very informative book on irises and their culture is *The
Gardener's Iris Book* by William Shear, 1998.
Lynn Lamb
Zone 7b
NC
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