Iris

About

Incredible Iris Plants At Nature Hills Nursery! Iris flowers are radiant specimens that come in so many vibrant colors and color combinations The Iris was named after the Greek Goddess 'Iris', who was considered the Messenger of Love. Often fragrant, always showy, and many Irises are reblooming! The unique blooms of most Iris resemble the Fleur-de-Lis and have three petals that rise straight up called the Flags or Standards, and three petals that droop down called the Falls. Japanese Iris are the exception, instead forming wide open, flattened blooms. Bearded Iris have fuzzy 'beards' and heavily ruffled petals, Japanese Iris have wide flat petals, and Dutch Iris typically have speckled falls. About The Iris The Iris is a hardy herbaceous perennial that grows from fleshy root-like bulbs called rhizomes while others grow from bulbs like Tulips and Muscari. The Iris family includes over 200 varieties including: Bearded Iris (aka Tall Bearded Iris and German Iris) The Siberian Iris Japanese Iris Native Louisiana Iris Flag Iris Dutch Iris Iris rhizomes sprout gray-green, blue-green, to green sword-like leaves that are held upright in vertical clumps. These perennial plants need a dormant period in the winter, however, some can remain semi-to-fully evergreen in mild winter climates. Found growing throughout USDA planting zones down to 3 and up to 9, Iris are highly adaptable! Growing & Caring For Irises Irises are one of the easiest perennials to grow! Plant them in a sunny spot and in well-drained soil. Lighter soils are preferred but if the soil is clay or has poor drainage (which will rot your Iris roots) then plant onto a berm or mound with sloping sides that drain away excess water. The most important and unexpected thing to remember when planting an Iris rhizome is to be sure to leave the very top third of the rhizome uncovered and exposed to the air/sun. Bulbous Dutch Iris however should be planted a few inches below the soil surface as you would other bulbs. M