did you know?

According to Greek myth, Iris, goddess of the rainbow, served as an emissary of the gods. She traveled along rainbows, and colorful iris flowers sprang up wherever she alighted.

general maintenance:

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued flowering and remove entire flower stalk to the ground after all buds have bloomed. Remove old foliage after frost or in early spring.

pests/diseases:

Aphids and viral infections may occur.

controls:

Regularly hose off aphids with a directed stream of water or apply insecticidal soap, following label directions. To control viral infections, remove and destroy severely diseased plants, or prune out infected stems and leaves, sanitizing tools between each cut.

how to sow/plant:

Start with new plants or late-summer divisions. Choose a sunny site with well-drained soil and amend with well-rotted manure or compost. Plant rhizomes (fleshy root structures) just at soil level. Mulch to conserve moisture so long as mulch does not cover the rhizomes. Water after planting.

water and fertilize:

Monitor soil moisture all season. Feed with a balanced fertilizer at the emergence of growth and after flowering, following label directions. Keep soil moist throughout flowering.

garden hint:

Be careful to keep leaves, mulch, and other garden debris from gathering around the iris rhizomes. Before transplanting, cut the iris leaves to 6-10 inches so they are easier to work with and so the roots will have fewer leaves to support.

features:

• Attractive Flowers
• Attractive Foliage
• Drought Tolerant
• Wet Tolerant

garden uses:

• Flowerbed borders
• Naturalizing

other uses:

• Cut Flower

combine with:

peonies daylilies poppies lady's mantle