Irises are known for being hardy, but they're not THAT hardy. From the very beginning, it's important to make sure your iris plants get off to a solid start. Here are some tips for planting your tall bearded irises- 1.) I suggest dipping your iris before planting in a 1:2 bleach water mix. Most nurseries (including ours), before shipping. However, I've found dipping before planting further prevents any mold in the rhizome. With heat, shipping, etc., this is a good preventative measure. Be sure to let them dry in a cool place before planting. 2.) Don't bury the rhizome. Unlike bulbs, rhizomes should be planted so that the surface of the rhizome is exposed. Create a small dirt mound, place the rhizome on top, and cover the roots, not the rhizome. 3.) Once your rhizome has been planted, it may fall over. You can use a wooden craft stick, dowel, or a garden marker to prop the plant up so that it can take root. 4.) I've found that it takes a couple of weeks (sometimes three) for an iris to get rooted. After that time you should be able to lightly tug on the iris leaves and feel a pull. You always want to make certain that your iris has enough time to get rooted before the first fall frost. This is why I prefer to plant my irises during July/August. 5. ) A few days after your iris is planted, the leaves may become brown or yellow. This is due in part to the fact that transplanting an iris is a shock to the iris. Wait until the iris is rooted to pull off any dead leaves. I also suggest watering the iris twice a week, with at least one watering being a mix of water/Scott's Super Bloom. 6.) Check for rot/mold. Iris rot is one of the biggest problems I encounter in the gardens, particularly with clay soil where the water absorption is poor. Once your rhizome has been planted, check it weekly for rot/mold. The rhizome shouldn't be crumbly or mushy. Consider dipping the rhizome again and replanting it where there is better drainage. 7.) Don't forget to write down the name of the iris variety on a garden marker. I typed the name of my varieties and printed them off. Then I cut the tags to size and taped them to a metal garden marker. I used clear packing tape to seal the tag. They have held up well in the weather and the ink hasn't smudged.
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Many organizations choose to recognize special volunteers or employees. The American Iris Society is no different - except for the fact that its awards of distinction are given to irises and their hybridizers. For this blog post, I'll focus on the highest award an iris can receive - the Dykes Medal named after William Rickatson Dykes, a British botanist and iris breeder. It was seven years after the founding of the American Iris Society in 1920 that the first Dykes Medal was presented to William Mohr and his tall bearded iris - "San Francisco". A striking plicata, "San Francisco" can still be purchased today. The Dykes Medal is awarded to only one iris each year and only certified AIS judges can vote on who will earn the AIS' top prize. A quick look at those who have won the prestigious award is like looking at a "Who's Who" of iris hybridizers. Keppel, Johnson, Maryott, Tasco... all familiar names in the world of iris hybridization. Below is a link where you can learn more about Dykes and the medal's history. https://www.irises.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/DykesMedal.pdf We have several Dykes Medal winners in our gardens. Below are two Dykes winners that we grow - "Before the Storm" and "Queen's Circle". There is a photo that I frequently see on the internet of an iris with bright turquoise and pink coloring. I'm amused when I see it and I've seen other gardeners comment on it as well. It's amusing because that color of iris doesn't exist. Even in the world of irises, there is someone willing to take your money.
However, there are some wonderful companies and individuals you can order from. When I started growing irises about 17 years ago, I found that iris people are some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They are willing to trade, swap, and give advice if you ask for it. My buying experiences have been mostly positive - from both private and commercial sellers. Living in Virginia, I've found the best time to plant is in July/August. Now is a great time to order irises, if you haven't already. I appreciate those who purchase from me, but there are many irises I don't have and I'm a house garden - not a large-scale commercial nursery. My supplies are limited. So how do you know who to buy from? Here are some tips: 1.) One of the best pieces of advice I can give is that if you see an iris for sale in a catalog or online, look up the iris variety on garden.org or davesgarden.com Why? Often, pictures advertising irises for sale look a little better than they do in real life. On the websites I just mentioned, fellow gardeners post pictures of their varieties. If an average phone photo taken in a garden with no enhanced lighting/editing looks good, you know it should look good when it grows in your garden. 2.) Compare costs. When I've seen irises for sale, I've seen a big disparity in prices when it comes to the cost of varieties. Typically, new or relatively new introductions will cost more. That's understandable. But if you're looking at a variety that's been out awhile, do a cost comparison. Why pay more if you don't have to? 3.) Social media - Because I have a display garden, I'm a stickler for iris varieties being true to name. Over the years I've been sent irises that were not what I ordered and because of this, I have a collection of NOIDs. If you want all of your varieties to be true to name, I'd be very careful who you buy from on social media. There are some great iris gardens on social media. When I buy through social media, I buy from an iris garden or inquire through an iris society. 4.) Seeds - Yes, irises can be grown from seed. However, there are some drawbacks and it's a process. I'd suggest doing some research on what growing iris from seed involves so that you can determine if it's the right choice for you. Personally, I prefer to order rhizomes. 5.) Grab a friend - Is there anything today that's not expensive? :) The cost of shipping when ordering irises from someone or a company, can be expensive. I encourage people to find a friend who will also place an order from the same vendor and then you can share the cost of shipping. I hope these tips are helpful! Our sale starts at midnight on July 23rd. I'll be posting more info on the Events page of this site and on Facebook. |
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