IRIS     

Iris spp.            (EYE-ris)          

Perennial Sun                 Height 10 - 40 inches             Spread 3 - 4 feet               Spacing 6 - 24 inches

HABIT:              Vertical leaves, spreads by underground rhizomes, available in any color. Beardless and bearded are the major groups.

CULTURE:        Iris culture varies greatly—some of the beardless irises (Japanese and Louisiana) can grow in or on the edge of water. Others, like Siberian, need to be continually moist. Tall bearded iris need dry beds and good drainage. When clumps get too thick, dig with turning fork, cut leaves to 6 - 8 inches and replant, placing bearded iris rhizomes even with the soil surface and beardless 1 - 2 inches below the surface.

USES:              Spring flowers, perennial gardens, cut flowers.

PROBLEMS:     None serious.

NOTES:            Iris means rainbow in Greek, so I like to plant mixed color masses. Louisianas and spurias grow the tallest.