Irises planting and care in the open field in the Urals

 

Iris is a rhizome perennial with xiphoid leaves with a waxy bloom and thin, fibrous roots. Multicolored iris flowers (petal color - from white to dark purple) outwardly similar to orchids, have a pleasant weak aroma. Some varieties of garden irises have a beard on the lower petals. Iris bloom begins in May and lasts until June: each individual flower remains decorative for about a week. The seeds of the plant ripen in autumn, in triangular capsules that contain 25 to 45 seeds.

   

Types of irises

 

There are the main varieties of irises that are grown in summer cottages, in open ground in parks and squares, and are used when arranging compositions in landscape design.

 

Bearded iris

The species got its name for the decorative "beard" that adorns the lower petals of the flower in the middle. The color of the flowers of the bearded iris varies from pale blue to dark purple. Breeders have bred a huge number of new varieties of bearded iris, including two-color ones with edged petals. These varieties are very decorative, compact, with large flowers and exciting aroma.

This species is divided into three subspecies, depending on the height of the plant:

✿ Low-growing - plant height does not exceed 40 cm;
✿ Medium - plants reach a height of 70 cm;
✿ Tall - over 70 cm.

Iris Russian

This species forms low dense "cushions" - curtains. Russian iris blooms with medium-sized flowers of pale colors. It perfectly tolerates short-term drying out of the soil. In landscape design, it is used to decorate rocky slides and rock gardens, where rare watering is required.

 

Siberian iris

This is a tall plant, reaching a height of 1 m. Flowers are rich, purple in color with shades of blue. Siberian iris and its hybrids bred by breeders are distinguished into a separate subspecies of irises: limniris. Plants of this subgroup have no “beard” on the limb of the petals.

 

Iris marsh

Iris yellow, grows in nature on the shores of lakes, rivers, on the slopes of humid ravines.It can thrive and bloom well on saline soils, at high outside temperatures. These varieties of iris are successfully used in landscape design for the design of artificial reservoirs: outdoor pools, ponds, waterfalls, iris tolerates excessive watering, looks great with decorative planting.

 

Iris smooth

Iris grows smooth on the banks of ponds and streams. Flowers are deep blue with a narrow yellowish-white arrow on each petal, arranged in 2-4 on erect arrows, dark blue or purple, 9-10 cm in diameter. It goes well with all moisture-loving plants. In addition, it does not lose its decorative effect all season. The height of the perennial is variable and reaches a maximum of 1 m.It has wide, grayish-green, smooth leaves of a xiphoid shape and various widths (from 1 to 3 s) m. Iris blooms in May - June.

 

Iris german

This variety is extremely rare in natural conditions. Iris Germanic purple has broadly xiphoid glaucous leaves. Their length reaches 50 centimeters, width - 30 mm. The peduncle of the culture is branched. Can be as long as leaves or longer. The flowers are large, painted in bluish-lilac or purple. They have a pleasant strong aroma, light blue or yellowish beard. The capsule is slightly elongated, oval in shape.

 

Dwarf iris

Dwarf irises are classified as low-growing crops, the height of the stems of which does not exceed 40 cm, although most specimens grow only up to 20 cm. Regardless of such a small growth, the buds of irises of this type practically do not differ in size and shape from the flowers of their tall counterparts. The color range of the petals of this culture is also very diverse and is represented by lilac, purple, yellow and other shades. Each peduncle is capable of producing 2-3 flowers, and a lot of shoots themselves grow on one bush, and therefore the flowering turns out to be quite abundant and variegated. Unlike medium- and tall-growing irises, their dwarf irises are distinguished by their unpretentiousness and ease of care.

 

Iris Kempfer

Kempfer's iris (or xiphoid) has a short, thickened rhizome. It is located vertically or horizontally. The basal leaves of the plant are not more than 50 cm tall, light green, with a prominent shiny midrib. A straight peduncle rises 10-15 cm above the leaves. Flowers are odorless, can reach 15 cm in diameter. A ten-year-old bush forms 10-15 peduncles, each of which can have up to 4 buds). Flowers on the bush do not bloom at the same time. The xiphoid iris grows on any soils, best of all on slightly acidic ones, both in the light and in the shade, in rockeries and on the banks of reservoirs. Does not require fertilizers, shelters and all sorts of special agricultural techniques. It blooms in the first half of July, and each flower remains on the plant for three days.

 

Japanese iris

This is an extensive species of irises, which is divided into subgroups depending on the size of the flower. The cultivation of these varieties is most preferable due to the high decorativeness of flowers. Japanese irises often form double flowers at different times (early, middle, late, very late). Japanese iris flowers are colored in all shades of rich purple. Flowers of this subgroup do not tolerate wintering well.

Planting irises

 

Choosing a place for planting irises

 

For planting any irises, the place is taken away from the wind and open to the sun, especially in the morning. It should have well-drained soil. Irises are very fond of when the "back", rhizomes are illuminated by the sun. But they grow well in partial shade, especially Siberian irises, whose delicate blue flowers quickly fade in the bright sun. For most irises, light loam is preferred. But even on sandy soil, these flowers will feel good too. Heavy, damp, clayey soils are diluted with sand and peat. In low-lying, humid areas, only marsh irises grow.

 

Transplanting irises in spring

 

The most convenient time to transplant is 2 weeks after the end of flowering. Irises planted in spring take root well. Flowers with a clod of earth can be transferred to another place during the entire warm period. Spring transplanting of irises begins when young leaves appear. In this case, the planting bed is prepared in the fall. Humus, compost, bone meal and a little lime are added to the soil. In the spring, when the soil dries out, they dig a hole 0.4 m in size and 15 centimeters deep. 5 mounds are formed at the bottom. Dried cuttings are laid horizontally on them, with the leaves pointing outward. The roots are straightened. Fall asleep with the remaining earth. Watering. As a result, the rhizomes of the planted plants should be covered with soil by 1 cm.

 

Planting irises in autumn

 

Autumn planting of irises begins in August, when the heat subsides and until a cold snap, until October. They dig up the soil. If it is heavy, it is diluted with sand. Dig a hole 15 cm deep. A prepared cut rhizome is placed on a poured mound. Sprinkle the roots with sand. Cover with earth so that the "back" remains on the surface. Water well. Plants are best placed in a circle. Rhizomes do not mulch; this prevents their growth. In early spring, the soil is fertilized with complex mineral fertilizers.

 

Planting bulbous irises

 

Iris bulbs are planted in the soil from September to October. The soil is dug up, filled with sand and complete mineral fertilizer. A hole is prepared with a depth of about 15 cm, the bulbs are planted to a depth of 7-8 cm from the surface, with the sharp end up. An adjacent bulb is planted at least 15 cm. The planted bulbs are covered with leaves or brushwood. Do not remove the mulch until the danger of frost has passed in the spring. With the advent of stable warming, all excess is raked up, freeing the seedlings access to light.

 

Reproduction of irises

 

You can propagate, rejuvenate and transplant moisture-loving irises in early spring or late summer. The bush prepared for transplantation is cleared of soil, broken, diseased or dead parts are removed. The roots are cut, leaving a third part. The leaves are trimmed two thirds. The rhizome, cut into several parts, is “disassembled” into planting divisions. The remaining roots are trying to carefully untangle. Each resulting cut should have 3-5 bunches of leaves. The soil is prepared by adding peat and complex mineral fertilizer to the removed soil. The planting hole is dug taking into account that the roots, placed on the mound of the rhizome, hang freely, and after the soil is compacted, the rhizome is at a depth of 5-7 cm. The planted plant is watered and mulched with peat. The seedlings are placed at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other.

 

Iris care

 

Planting care is reduced to weeding, carefully loosening the soil, watering, feeding, treating pests and diseases, pruning after flowering and before wintering.

Top dressing of irises... With the advent of warming, last year's leaves are removed from the irises, and the soil around the plantings is carefully loosened. When seedlings appear, the plants are fed with nitrogen and phosphorus, and after 15 days with nitrogen and potassium. The most important fertilization for next year's flowering is three weeks after flowering ends. At this time, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are added. It is dangerous to introduce nitrogen-containing fertilizing later, as irises “overfed” with nitrogen do not tolerate wintering well.

Watering... Watering irises is necessary only during drought. The precipitation is enough for them. Be sure to watered only when planting, during budding and when applying dressings. In order to increase the winter hardiness of plants and help them to go to a state of dormancy, since August, watering is reduced, they stop loosening the soil, but the weeds still continue to be removed.

Pruning... Withering flowers, and after flowering and flower stalks are removed. In the second half of autumn, iris leaves are cut cone-shaped, leaving no more than 15 cm. The cut leaves are burned, as the larvae of pests and pathogens remain on them.Before the onset of frost, the rhizomes are covered with earth by 5-7 cm. It is good to put dry leaves, tops, spruce paws on top. In winter, snow is thrown over the plantings.

 

Irises - diseases and pests

 

Prevention is central to pest and disease control. If you keep the area clean, remove weeds in a timely manner, apply mineral fertilizers in moderation, then the plants will be less affected by diseases, and the number of pests will decrease. Most often, irises are affected by soft rot of the rhizome and bacteriosis.

The main reason for rhizome rot is a deep planting. When properly planted, the back of the rhizome always "tans" in the sun. The first signs of bacteriosis appear when the leaves dry out. They turn brown, bend over and are easily pulled out. At the next stage, the disease passes to the growing part of the rhizome, which rots. The affected bush is dug out of the ground, the decayed part is cut out to healthy tissue and etched with any fungicide, in extreme cases with potassium permanganate or iodine. Then they are kept in the sun for at least 8 hours. During this time, the rhizome is turned over several times. Occurs on iris bushes and spotting. For the prevention of these diseases, it is necessary, with the onset of stable heat, to treat the emerging seedlings with copper sulfate, copper oxychloride, or any copper-containing preparation at least 3 times in 5-7 days.

Pests also do not bypass irises. On them can appear: wireworm, gladiolus thrips, winter and iris moths.

Having found uninvited guests on the flowers, the plantings are treated with karbofos several times with an interval of 5-7 days. Naked slugs harm plantings. You can fight them if you sprinkle the soil around the flowers with: wholemeal ash, lime, mustard powder, granular superphosphate, finely crumbled eggshells.

The last few years, the flowers of iris and not only iris have been almost completely eaten by bronzes - rather large beetles with a bronze or greenish tint on folded wings. These pests spend the night here on the buds that have appeared and in half-opened flowers. If you shake the flowers early in the morning, then in the substituted container you can collect bronzes numb from the cold.

During the day, this can be done by sprinkling beetles eating flowers with cold water. Beetles numb from water can easily be shaken off into a bucket of water or kerosene. The appeared buds of not only irises, but also roses, peonies, lilies must be processed with confidor, mosilan or aktara. This will also reduce the number of pests.

Watering. The planted irises are watered, for this they break a small depression around them. When all the moisture is absorbed into the soil and it dries up a little, at this time the soil is loosened and mulched.

In the first year after the division of the iris bushes, the timely transplantation of plants to a new place, many varieties of hybrid iris quickly gain strength. In the second year of growth and third year, the irises bloom profusely. In subsequent years, the planting of irises thickens and, as a result, their decorativeness decreases.

The use of irises for decoration.

Irises are well used in gardening for the decoration of a summer cottage, flower bed, city square or park. Groups that are made up of various varieties and types of tall bearded irises look very good, taking into account the colors, different heights of flowers, and different flowering times of irises.

Irises can be combined with plantings of other perennials. The most successful combinations will be one-day lilies (hemorrhoids) and multi-colored perennial lupins. Iris looks good next to peonies and phloxes, a beautiful view with delphiniums and other perennials. Irises are magnificent near ornamental shrubs, such as lilacs.

Iris varieties for the Middle Urals.

Hector Bicolor - a variety of irises, tall, has a universal application, flowers, their colors - the lower petals are yellow-grayish with a slight haze, the upper petals are reddish-purple, velvety),

Beng Bicolor - a variety of irises, which has a color range: the upper half of the flower is wine-red with a magnificent silky sheen, the lower half is brownish-pinkish, softly velvety, with a pleasant aroma.

Sauce Pacific is a variety of irises in which the color range is: one-color, pure blue, the plant is tall, decorative, looks great in a bouquet.

Mary Phillips is a variety of irises with a monochromatic range, mainly wine-lilac, flowers are very large, there is a well-defined yellow spot on the lower lobe.

Ellen Colling Wood - bicolor irises, late variety, light bluish in color at the top, some completely white, soft velvety below, delicate, dark purple-violet, tall plant, looks great when landscaping, good for cutting.

Iris (Iris), Kasatik, Petushok is a perennial rhizome plant of the Iris family (Iris). You can meet them everywhere; more than 700 species grow in the natural environment. The name of the plant is translated from Latin as "rainbow".

This name was given by Hippocrates in honor of the rainbow goddess Iris. This is not surprising, because the variety of shades of irises is numerous. According to legend, when Prometheus bestowed fire on people, nature rejoiced: a rainbow flashed, which shone day and night, and in the morning fell to the ground in a scattering of amazing flowers. They were irises. The Italian city of Florence (translated as "blooming") - so named by the Romans, because the city's district was dotted with irises.

The flower has been cultivated for over 2,000 years. Irises are valuable not only as ornamental plants, but also are raw materials for the production of essences used in perfumery.

Botanical description

The root system of irises is represented by horizontally arranged thickened roots with filamentous processes. The leaves are xiphoid, flat, painted green, have a waxy coating, they are collected in the root zone in fan-shaped bunches. Flowers are large, single, intricate in shape, varied in color (monochromatic, a combination of several shades), most often fragrant.

The flower consists of six lobes: three inner lobes form a tube, and the outer three are slightly turned inside out and down. Flowering lasts from May to July. Re-flowering in autumn is possible. Each individual flower pleases for about 5 days. The fruit is a three-celled capsule.

How to grow irises outdoors

It is necessary to take into account the following nuances when growing irises:

1. Their roots grow horizontally, often come to the surface - for the winter they should be covered with earth and covered with peat. Remove the mulch carefully in the spring.
2. He does not like transplants, so it should be noted that in a year it will shift its location by a few centimeters. Plant them in a leaf fan along the row for a cleaner look.
3. Bearded iris prefers sandy soils and shallow planting.
4. Don't feed organics. The best fertilizing will be mineral fertilizers in liquid form.
5. A transplant is needed every 3-4 years, Siberian iris can grow normally for about 10 years in one place.

When to plant?

Most often, planting is carried out during the period from August to September. Can be planted in spring (April-May).

Seat selection

Bearded iris prefers places where sunlight hits in the morning, protection from drafts is also important, planting on a hill will protect against stagnant water. Iris Siberian and marsh, on the contrary, love moisture.

The soil

Nutrient soil is required. If the soil is depleted, when planting, add fertile garden soil or compost, add potassium-phosphorus fertilizing. Wood ash, chalk, dolomite flour must be added to the acidic soil. Dilute the loam with sand and peat, and add clay soil to the sandy soil. It is recommended to treat the area with a herbicide (to protect against weeds) and a fungicide (to protect against diseases.

Preparing for landing

Planting material is recommended to be treated with a growth stimulator. Prune long roots, remove rotten areas, and be sure to treat the cut with a fungicide.However, healthy plants do not need special treatment and can be planted without prior preparation.

How bearded irises are planted description and video:

Dig a shallow hole, sprinkle the sand with a mound, distribute the roots horizontally, they should be flush with the soil, sprinkle with sand.

Planting beardless irises description and video:

Planting beardless irises: they need to be deepened into the soil a few centimeters, to maintain moisture, mulch the area.

Observe the distance between planting depending on the growth of the plants: 15 cm is enough for undersized, 20 cm for medium-sized ones, at least 50 cm for tall ones.

How to care for irises in the garden

Irises love light and warmth.

Watering

Water regularly during the budding period if you want to get the most vigorous flowering. However, irises are so unpretentious that they can do without the attention of a grower altogether. This is widely used in the improvement of areas adjacent to public buildings when it is not possible to irrigate. After flowering, watering is required only when the soil near the roots is strongly drying, again, if the gardener's goal is to maximize the decorativeness of flowers in the next season.

Top dressing

If the soil is nutritious, the plant can be content with it. As an additional top dressing before flowering, add a solution of phosphorus-potassium fertilizers. You cannot feed during flowering.

How to weed and loosen the soil

The root system is practically on the surface, so weed only by hand. Loosen the soil occasionally, but this must be done very carefully. Remove wilted buds.

Diseases and pests of irises

Rot is the most common iris disease. Affected specimens must be excavated and destroyed. Pour the soil and other plants with a solution of foundationol with a concentration of 2%. Be sure to treat the roots before planting. As a preventive measure, periodically spray irises with a Bordeaux mixture (concentration 1%).

As for pests, scoops eat out the base of the peduncles - they turn yellow and die. To avoid problems at the beginning of the growing season, spray irises with a solution of karbofos at a concentration of 10%, the procedure should be carried out twice at weekly intervals. Thrips can infect leaves (they turn brown, dry out), buds (discolor). In this case, apply an insecticide treatment.

Slugs often appear on irises. You can use various traps to collect them. Also, to combat slugs, it is recommended to scatter metaldehyde granules (30-40 g per 10 m2) over the area in dry weather in the morning or in the evening.

What to do after flowering? Irises in winter

If you do not plan to plant your irises, then after flowering you need to cut the flower stalks. Trim the yellowness from the leaves, the tips can be made semicircular - the flowerbed will look neat, and the root system will be filled with nutrients. When the leaves are dry, cut them back, leaving about 10 cm from the soil surface. Pest eggs can be laid on the cut leaves - it is better to burn them.

Before the onset of cold weather, bare roots should be mulched with a layer of peat or sand about 10 cm thick. If winter with prolonged severe frosts is foreseen, additionally cover with spruce branches or dry leaves. Frost-resistant varieties winter well without special preparation for wintering. When buying, ask the seller if these flowers need shelter for the winter.

If there is a need to store the rhizomes until spring, do it in the manner described below.

Bearded irises should be stored in a cool dry place. Dry the roots, put them in a box, first wrap each spine with paper or then sprinkle it with sawdust, dry peat.

All others are moisture-loving. They should be planted in a flowerpot. Cut the long roots, treat with a solution of potassium permanganate, immerse it shallowly into the soil, sprinkle it with earth on top. Transfer to open ground in the spring.

Reproduction

Species irises are mainly propagated by seeds. In this case, flowering occurs in 2-3 years.

The most popular reproduction is by dividing the rhizome. Dig up the irises with a pitchfork, shake off the soil, divide the roots into pieces so that each link contains 2-3 growth points and a few leaves. Cut the leaves 2/3 of the length. Be sure to treat with a fungicide and dry the roots.

Types and varieties of bearded irises with photos and names

Irises are conventionally divided into bearded (their petals have shaggy hairs) and beardless. They are also classified into undersized (40-50 cm), medium-sized (50-70 cm), tall (over 70 cm).

German iris Iris germanica

German iris Iris germanica photo

The most popular type of bearded iris.

Famous varieties:

Iris germanica Baltic Sea Iris germanica Baltic Sea photo

Baltic Sea - ruffled petals are colored blue with blue barbs.

Iris germanica ‘Bewilderbeast’

Bewilderbest - corrugated petals, the color consists of stripes of cream, burgundy, red, there are strokes of white, yellow.

Bearded Iris cultivar Iris germanica ‘Escape From Boredom’ photo

Delicate beige with a peach sheen and purple veins is the color of Iris germanica 'Escape From Boredom'. Amazingly delicate flowers are good on site and in cut.

Bearded iris variety Iris germanica Acoma photo

Acoma - ivory petals with a blue, lavender hue. Reminds of fabulous blue clouds.

Bearded Iris cultivar Iris germanica ‘Regal Knave’ photo

Two-color varieties are very popular, when the lower leaves of the corolla are painted in a darker color, and the tops-middle are lighter. For example, Iris germanica ‘Regal Knave’ with shades of blue and purple.

Bearded Iris cultivar Iris germanica ‘Rondo’ photo

Do not take your eyes off the Iris germanica ‘Rondo’, which has a delicate purple color in the center of the petals and dark borders around the edge. The petals are heavily curved around the edge, just with an incredibly beautiful wavy fringe.

Bearded iris variety Iris germanica Peach Jam photo

The imagination of breeders has no limit: there are varieties with variegated contrasting colors, such as the Iris germanica Peach Jam variety.

Iris bearded variety 'Superstition' Iris germanica 'Superstition' photo

The deep purple, almost black color of Iris germanica ‘Superstition’ can create a dramatic contrast in joint plantings with lighter shades.

Iris bearded variety Iris germanica Distant Chimes photo

Iris germanica Distant Chimes has a fantastic coloration with creamy yellow centers and pale purple lower petals.

Iris bearded variety Iris 'Acapulco Gold' photo

Iris ‘Acapulco Gold’ flowers are bright yellow, large flowers have a fringed wavy edge of the petals.

Iris bearded variety Iris ‘Loop the Loop’ photo

The delicate blue and white color of the Iris 'Loop the Loop' variety captivates with its lacy beauty.

Bearded Iris cultivar Iris germanica ‘About Town’ photo

Luxurious double flowers with wavy edges - in the About Town Tall variety with shades of delicate lilac and dark purple.

Bearded Iris 'Drunk Skunk' photo

Unusual white stripes along the deep purple leaves of the Iris ‘Drunk Skunk’ lower corolla harmonize beautifully with the pastel lilac color of the upper petals.

Iris florentine Iris florentina

Iris florentine Iris florentina photo

The branched peduncle reaches a height of about 70 cm, bears 5-7 flowers. The petals are white with a bluish tinge.

Non-bearded irises with photos and names

Iris Siberian Iris sibirica

Iris Siberian variety Iris Sibirica ‘How Audacious’ photo

The color ranges from blue to deep purple. Are devoid of aroma. They are hardy, not afraid of severe frosts and droughts. They can grow near water bodies. More than 1,000 varieties have been bred.

Popular varieties of Siberian irises:

Iris Siberian Snow Queen Iris siberica Snow Queen photo

Snow Queen - has white flowers.

Iris Siberian variety Imperial Opal photo

Imperial Opal - iris 80 cm high, corolla diameter 10 cm, color - lavender pink.

Iris Siberian variety Butter and Sugar photo

Butter and Sugar - the inner petals are white, with a speck of lemon shade at the base, the outer petals are completely yellow.

Japanese iris, xiphoid or Kempfler's iris

Japanese iris, xiphoid or Kempfler's iris photo

Its large flowers are about 25 cm in diameter.

In our latitudes, varieties take root well:

• Nessa-No-Mai - purple-white flower over 20 cm in diameter;
• Solveig - has flowers of a delicate light lilac color;
• Vasily Alferov - iris with inky color of petals.

Iris spuria or false Iris spuria

Iris spuria or false Iris spuria

Iris with large, elegant flowers.

Popular varieties:

• Lemon Touch - delicate petals, painted in yellow-lemon color with golden stripes, reaches a height of about 1 m;
• Transfiguration is a tall variety with petals ranging from blue-violet to deep purple with bronze veins.
• Stella Irene - the peduncle reaches a height of about 90 cm, the color of the petals is purple-black.

Iris marsh or pseudo-aira Iris pseudacorus

Iris marsh or pseudo-airy photo

Prefers moist soils. In the natural environment, the flowers are yellow.

Popular varieties:

• Golden Queen - flowers are golden;
• Flore Pleno - yellow double flowers;
• Umkirch - Has pink flowers.

According to the color method, they are distinguished:

• one-color (all lobes are colored in the same color);
• two-tone (the upper and lower lobes are painted in the same color in different shades);
• two-color (the lower and upper lobes are painted in different colors);
• variegata (the upper ones are yellow, the lower ones are red-brown);
• amena (the upper part is painted white);
• bordered (on the lower or on all lobes there is a border of a contrasting color);
• iridescent (one shade smoothly passes into another).

Irises in landscape design

Irises in landscape design photo

Irises can be seen everywhere: in parks, gardens, household plots, in flower beds near entrances. Rock gardens are decorated with low-growing varieties. Iridarium (flowerbed with irises) can be planted in an amphitheater - the arrangement of flowers is ascending. Swamp irises frame reservoirs.

Irises are bright, so pick your neighbors with care. They go well with phlox, astilba, jaskolka, geyhera, tenacious, tradescantia, hosta. Spirea, thuja, juniper, dwarf spruce will serve as a suitable background for irises.

Irises are a popular garden crop with spectacular flowering and unpretentious nature. Many gardeners are interested in planting and caring for irises in the open field. Velvet multicolored irises are a perennial plant that serves as a real decoration for a flower garden or flower bed.

Irises - description and features of culture

Irises are short perennials of the rhizome genus. Translated from Greek, the word Iris means rainbow. Indeed, more than 700 types of irises are known, differing in size, shape, structure and color of the flower. Outwardly, the iris flower stalk is similar to an orchid, the color of the petals is very diverse - from white and pale to rich and bright. In some varieties, the peduncle is painted with two, three or more flowers, and a peculiar pattern is applied to the lower petals.

The beginning of flowering of irises is May and June, the lush flowering can continue until the end of June. In autumn, iris can bloom again - in August and September.

The culture has an extensive geography around the world, with some varieties found in the harsh climate of the Northern Hemisphere. In nature, there are rhizome and bulbous irises, which outwardly are absolutely similar to each other. Rhizome irises are stable and unpretentious, winter well and are not afraid of cold weather. Bulbous varieties require a little more care and attention. The wild flower iris has long been loved by flower growers and has become an urban flower. You should learn everything about the care and planting of irises in open ground.

Rules for planting irises in open ground

Rhizome irises prefer a well-lit area where they will bloom beautifully for a long time. For the free spread of the roots, irises need space - at least half a meter from each other. All species love loose, nutrient-rich and oily soil. Planting irises in the spring in the ground is carried out after the compost and potassium-phosphorus fertilizers have been introduced. It is not recommended to apply manure.

Soil moisture for each variety needs its own:

• bearded iris is best planted in a fan on the slopes so that there is a good outflow of rain and melt water;
• Siberian iris and marsh iris are best grown where it is always damp - near water bodies and in partial shade.

The area for irises is dug up, treated with fungicides against harmful insects, and herbicides to reduce weed growth. For rhizome irises, a neutral soil is preferred. If the soil is acidic, you should mix it with ash, lime or chalk. When planting, the upper bud remains on the surface of the soil, it is not buried.

Rhizome varieties - how to plant irises in spring:

1. A hole is dug under the root, in the center of which a small mound is poured.
2. The central root should be placed on a mound, and the lateral roots should be distributed to the sides.
3. The main rhizome is sprinkled with earth, a layer of sand is applied on top, the earth is slightly compacted.
4. The roots should not be buried too deep, they should be located close to the soil surface.
5. Let the central kidney remain free of the earth - above its surface.

Experienced flower growers recommend planting irises in the open ground in spring and summer. During the warm season, the plants have time to fully root in the soil, due to which they winter without loss and begin to bloom the next year.

Bulbous irises - planting and care in the open field:

1. The bulbs are planted in early spring or autumn before frost.
2. The soil temperature for planting must be at least 10 °, otherwise the bulbs may freeze.
3. A shallow trench is dug, the bulbs go deeper into the trench by 3-4 cm, no more.
4. The total planting depth should be about 10-12 cm.
5. The excavated soil is mixed with garden soil for nutrition, river sand and crushed coal for drainage, with double superphosphate for growth.
6. The prepared grooves are disinfected by spilling with a solution of potassium permanganate, and a growth stimulator to strengthen the roots.
7. Iris bulbs are planted sprout up, not too deep, at a sufficient distance from each other - 15-20 cm.
8. The soil is poured on top, which should be lightly tamped so that the bulbs do not crawl out to the surface.
9. Re-watering is necessary only after 3-4 days.

Excessive root deepening harms the growth and development of irises, while the soil should not be heavy. For loosening, compost, peat and coarse sand are added to the soil.

Small-bulbous varieties of irises are not demanding on moisture. They are buried three times the height of the bulb, and their flowering begins next spring.

Iris care - basics and secrets

According to experienced flower growers, irises are strong and viable plants that grow and bloom well without fertilization. However, in the third year of life, it is recommended to pamper the flower with a step-by-step complex feeding - in the spring, during the budding period and after flowering. In response to care, the plant will become stronger and stronger, it will grow faster and bloom more abundantly.

Irises - care in spring:

• top dressing in a ratio of 2: 1: 1 - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium;
• watering depending on the surrounding weather conditions.

During the budding period, fertilizing should be carried out at a ratio of 3: 1: 3 - nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium. In this case, watering and spraying are carried out as needed. A month after the end of flowering, it is recommended to apply top dressing in a 1: 1 ratio - phosphorus plus potassium. In the autumn, before wintering, dry mineral fertilizer should be applied in a tablespoon, scattering it under each root of the plant.

Irises should be watered at the root when the soil around the bush is completely dry. After planting, the plant is watered only three days later.

How to feed irises in spring:

• if a lack of minerals is noticed, then mineral dressing should be applied personally for each bush;
• in early spring, a complex nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus fertilizer for flowers is useful for a plant.

Prevention of diseases and pests includes sanitary pruning of dead plant parts, timely removal of wilted flower stalks, regular spraying and shower, cleaning the beds from fallen leaves. In the open field, the planting of irises is weeded by hand, the soil is loosened with care and watered as needed. Before winter, the rhizomes are sprinkled with earth and covered, since they are located close to the surface itself and can freeze.

How and when to transplant irises

Irises can be planted in three ways - rhizomes, shoots and grown from seeds. Getting plants from seeds is the longest and most difficult way. In practice, it is much easier and faster to grow flowers by dividing the bush and branches. At the same time, plants grown from rhizomes will bloom the next year, and seed plantings will have to wait another 2-3 years.

How and when to transplant irises:

• the best time for transplanting is early spring, that is, March-April, before flowering;
• flowers are propagated by dividing rhizomes and sprouts.

Transplanting irises in spring to another place is carried out using only healthy and strong plants that will take root quickly and without problems. The rhizomes are removed from the ground and divided into parts so that each individual root rosette has one leaf bud. Excess foliage should be trimmed. Before planting, the roots are dipped in a potassium permanganate solution for disinfection for several minutes. Dried rhizomes are planted in shallow trenches or small planting holes at a distance of 50-60 cm from each other.

When propagating vegetatively, the iris should bloom at least once. After that, until the moment of budding, young shoots can be taken from it. New plants should be rooted from March to May in a shaded place, creating greenhouse conditions. Full rooting can be observed after 2-3 weeks.

Irises can be grown from seeds. In autumn, seeds are sown in a pot with a sandy substrate, covered with plastic or glass. By spring, the seeds will sprout, they are dived and planted in open ground. When to plant irises outdoors in spring? The optimal time for planting in the ground is early spring, the month of March and April. By this time, young plantings have already grown up enough, they will be able to quickly and fully take root in the ground.

Irises in landscape design

The high decorative qualities of irises allow them to be planted in flower beds and mixborders, along fences, in flower beds and rockeries. The ideal place for them is on a hill, where there is no stagnation of moisture, and there is no close adhesion of groundwater. There are short and tall types of irises. Tall plants are usually tied up so that they do not break and hold the bud well. Dwarf irises grow in a solid wall and require periodic pruning and watering in dry weather.

Irises in landscape design photo:

Knowing the rules of planting and caring for irises in the open field will make it easy and simple to grow these plants in your garden plot. When you see an iris, you do not want to pick it at all, you want to admire it endlessly, inhaling the delicate and delicate aroma of a flower.

Such different irises on the site - video