Bearded Iris flowers capture the color symphony of the universe – the blue of sea and sky.
The deep turquoise of clear mountain pools, the shining yellow of sunlight, the pure white of snow, the red, gold, and bronze of autumn leaves. The purple merging into the black of the night sky.
The jewel tones of the minerals are there too: topaz, amethyst, emerald, ruby. Then there are the pale shimmery tints of abalone shells – and coral. Then, finally, there are rich forest browns.
The plicatas, which have a white or cream ground bordered, etched, or dotted, usually with blue-purple or brown, echo the patterns of butterfly wings and the plumage of tropical birds.
While the yellow and brownish variegatas might be likened to earth and sky at twilight, just before all is enveloped in darkness, I see all these things in my growing bearded iris.
In all their variety and brightness, the iris come upon the world when it has but barely emerged from the somber hues of winter.
Iris A Universal Flower
It’s interesting to remember that the iris are a universal flower. Their native habitats comprise a great part of the earth’s surface – from the shores of the Mediterranean into Europe through Asia Minor to the Far East and into the New World.
The student of history can trace the story of iris back to Egyptian bas-reliefs dated as early as 1500 B.C. – again in medieval Europe as the fleur-de-lis of France.
Bearded Flowers Inspire Artists and Poets
Bearded Iris images have inspired artists and poets through the ages, so modern gardeners have a rich heritage when we accent our gardens with rainbow-tinted iris. Indeed, past, present, and future blend in this flower through the skill of hybridizers, ever new and more thrilling colors and combinations are being introduced.
“Bearded iris provide a rainbow of bloom in May and June with little care.”
Bearded Iris Culture
The culture of the bearded iris is, of course, proverbially simple. Iris likes alkaline soil and does its best in full sun. The sun is essential to prolific bloom. Bonemeal is the only fertilizer iris requires and should be applied in early spring when new growth starts.
The result: your iris will grow abundantly through the year and reward you with a magnificent blooming season in May and June.
Never plant bearded iris deeply. Instead, place your clump in a shallow hole (in which you have sprinkled bonemeal) with the rhizome (or fleshy root) almost on the ground surface, uncovered and in a horizontal position. There it will receive the full benefit of the sun.
Good Drainage Essential
Good drainage is essential, and it is wise to keep fallen leaves away from the rhizomes to avoid any danger of rot. But as for disease and insect pests, the bearded iris is freer of these than any other outdoor plant I can think of.
Using Bearded Flowers In The Landscape
Where to use iris in the garden? Most anywhere! With their tall majestic beauty, they give a fine color accent to lawns or shrubbery – or blend obligingly with other flowers.
To select the most popular iris varieties grown today, visit the American Iris Society top picks, visit bearded iris specialist online or send for catalogs.
I once heard a phrase that made a lasting impression on me “Paint your garden with iris,” and I leave it with you as you plan your garden for the season ahead.