Iris Bearded Iris, Tall Bearded Iris, Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, Table Iris, Pacific Coast Iris

Iris

Iris belongs to the Iris genus. Iris is also known as Bearded Iris, Tall Bearded Iris, Miniature Tall Bearded Iris, Table Iris, Pacific Coast Iris

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The Iris Plant Wiki

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Tall Bearded Iris
Tall Bearded or TB class produce bloomstalks that are not less than 27.5" in height. The vast majority of tall beardeds produce stalks that greatly exceed this minimum height standard; many varieties produce stalks of at least 38" to 42". Blooms should be considerably larger than those of the border bearded and intermediates bearded irises. And they bloom after most of the IBs have finished blooming.

Miniature Tall Bearded Iris
Miniature Tall Bearded iris or MTB comprise a separate class of bearded iris, also known as table irises, that produce bloomstalks of 41 to 70 cm (16" to 27.5") in height. However, MTBs are not simply very small flowered tall bearded irises. In all aspects of the plant, MTBs are far daintier. Blooms on MTBs should not be more than 15 cm or 6 inches in combined height and width. They are borne on slender, wiry, flexuous stalks 1/8" to 3/16" wide directly under the terminal flowers and increasing gradually to about 5/8" at the ground line. Although most miniature talls bloom with the tall bearded irises, size and proportion, not the season of bloom, define the class. MTB blooms are very dainty, especially when compared to those of border bearded or tall bearded iris blooms. Their slender stalks and dainty blooms make them ideal subjects for use in arrangements.

Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris
The Standard Dwarf Bearded or SDB class, consists of iris with bloomstalks that must be between 5 to 10 cm or 8-16" in height. Stems may be branched or unbranched, usually with two or more terminal buds. Blooms should be from 5 to 10 cm (up to, but not including, 4 inches) wide. To determine flower width, measure horizontally from the center of one fall to the center of an adjacent fall. Leaves should be essentially erect and no taller than the height of the bloomstalk. The SDB bloom season begins after the peak of the miniature dwarf bearded iris and before the peak bloom of the intermediate irises.

Miniature Dwarf Bearded Iris
Miniature Dwarf Bearded or MDB class must consistently produce flower stalks that are no taller than 8 inches. They usually have small and dainty flowers that measure from 4.0 to 7.5 cm (1.6" – 3") wide. MDBs are the first irises to bloom in the spring. They usually show little or no branching.

Intermediate Bearded Iris
The Intermediate Bearded or IB class produces bloomstalks that may vary in height from 41 to 70 cm or 16" to 27.5". Shorter than 16", or taller than 27.5" and the iris in question cannot be classified as an intermediate iris. Blooms should be 9 to 13 cm or 3.5 to 5 inches. This measurement is taken by measuring the distance between the tip of one fall to the tip of an adjacent fall. The typical blooming period for the intermediates falls between the bloom times for the SDBs and the tall bearded bloom season. An iris in any class may produce bloomstalks inconsistent with its official classification. Weather and climate, poor or very fertile soil, may cause an iris to produce stalks that are taller or shorter than the height recorded at the time of registration.

Border Bearded Iris
Must consistently produce bloomstalks of 41 to 70 cm, or 16" to 27.5". Border bearded irises should bloom along with the tall beardeds. Second, blooms should be larger than those of the IBs or MTBs, but the width of the flowers should not exceed 5". The height of the flower, measured vertically from the highest point of the standards to the lowest point of the falls, should not exceed 22 cm or 8.5".

Iris belongs to the Iris genus.

How to grow and keep Iris happy

July through September (late summer) is also a good time to dig and reset clumps of iris that are crowded, usually after 3-4 years growth. If you live in an area with a harsh winter climate, your iris may require some sort of winter protection, especially the first year. Iris will thrive without feeding but will respond to fertilization with spectacular results. An application of a well-balanced fertilizer (5-10-5), applied as a top dressing dusted around and in between plants in the early Spring and very late Fall is desirable. Fertilizer can also be applied right after bloom is finished. Any fertilizer application should be light. In general, fertilizers high in nitrogen, including fresh manure, should be avoided because too much nitrogen encourages rot problems. Every 3 or 4 years, dig clumps, remove and discard the old center divisions that have bloomed and replant the new large fans with strong foliage. Use a sharp knife to separate rhizomes, borer holes or diseased looking parts. Trim leaves halfway back to an inverted V shape (^) and also trim roots back to about 4-6 inches. Soak for 1-10 minutes in 10% bleach solution, dry in cool, shady place for a day. If leaf spot is a problem, soak in fungicide for 30 minutes after rinsing in bleach water. Dust any open wounds with sulfur

How to sow and germinate Iris

About two months after pollination a seed pod will turn brown and split open. Harvest the golden brown seed and allow them to dry out for a couple more months (Be sure to keep the record of the parents with the seed). In late October plant the seed about 3/4" deep and 1" apart in well drained soil. The planted seed should spend the winter outdoors. The following spring little Iris plants will grow from the seed you planted. Replant and space out the “baby” Iris when they become crowded.

How to transplant Iris

Iris thrive in a well-drained neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but is generally tolerant of most garden soils. At least six hours of sun are needed for vigorous growth and flowering. The preferred time for planting is in the late summer-fall to give the roots time to develop over the winter and store up nourishment to support spring blooming. Good air circulation is essential; without it, foliage diseases and rhizome rots thrive. It is important when planting the rhizomes to cover them with no more than one inch or less of soil. However, the rhizome should rest upon well-cultivated soil deep enough to allow the roots room to develop and spread. Water the new plants thoroughly, but wait until early spring to add fertilizer. * Build up a small mound of soil in the center of the planting hole. * Center the rhizome on the soil mound and spread out the roots on either side. “: * Firm the soil around the roots. Newly planted rhizomes should be watered thoroughly.”:

How to harvest Iris

Companion plants for Iris

These plants will grow well with Iris:

Repellent plants for Iris

These plants will not grow well with Iris so avoid planting these within close proximity:

Common Iris pests

These pests are known to attack Iris plants:

Common Iris diseases & problems

These problems and diseases are known to effect Iris plants:

How long does Iris take to grow?

These estimates for how long Iris takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world. Start logging and journaling your observations to participate!

When should I sow or plant Iris?

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Iris Etymology

Iris takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species

Iris Folklore

In some languages, irises are called flags or sword flags, relating them to symbols of heraldry and royalty, hence the original “Fleur de lys” of heraldry. In Japan the shape is seen to express heroism and the blue colour refers to blue blood, so irises play a key role in their spring festival for boys.