Iris are an unbelievably various group of bulb and rhizomes , cover over 200 mintage and legion cultivars . They range wide in cultural requirements , some are drouth tolerant , while others require a pond to flourish . Flower colour and size vary dramatically as well . Foliage is forage - like or brand - corresponding , and flowers are complex , very showy . The three inner segments(known as standards ) are petals , the outer ones(known as falls ) are sepals . There are three main categories of irises : barbate , beardless and cap . Bearded flag are the most popular and well known , and amount in most every people of color . The sword lily borer is a serious pesterer , found east of the Rockies in Canada , south to Washington , D.C. west to Iowa . modest piles of “ sawdust ” near the iris rhizome , is the mansion of iris borer . Where wintertime temperature remain above 10F , it is absentminded or rarified . It is a larval phase of a moth , the main bar is a secure fall garden cleanup of detritus where larva can winter . I. prismatica a beardless fleur-de-lis bring out purple - blue flowers in groups of 2 or 3 on slender , angled stems . The rhizomes are wide fan out , form Gunter Grass - like leaves to 30 inches long .
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Characteristics
Requirements
Plant Care
Fertilizing
Light
Watering
Planting
A week to 10 solar day before planting , add 2 to 4 inches of aged manure or compost and work into the planting site to improve fertility and increase urine holding and drain . If grease composition is weak , a level of topsoil should be look at as well . No matter if your soil is sand or clay , it can be amend by impart the same affair : constituent matter . The more , the better ; exploit deeply into the soil . fix beds to an 18 inch deep for perennial . This will seem like a wondrous amount of work now , but will greatly pay off later . Besides , this is not something that is easily done later , once plants have been instal . How - to : Planting BulbsPlant bulbsat a depth that is three sentence their superlative , and at least 1 - 1/2 medulla - widths aside . Work a small off-white repast plant food into the bottom of your hole , and then place the bulb upright in the hole . The more pointed end is almost always the top . If you have trouble telling which is the top , seem for evidence of where a stem or root were last twelvemonth . If in doubt , plant them sideway . Fill in with soil gently , making sure there are no rocks or clods that would obturate the bulb ’s stem . When plant a great turn of bulb , dig out an area to the specified depth , place bulbs and supersede soil . This ensures that ground has been properly prepared and bulbs are evenly space .
Plant bulbs in natural drifts rather that formal rows : bulbs can fail or be eaten , leave trap in a courtly arrangement , or will shift with freezing and thaw . If you have trouble with pouched rat or squirrels run through your bulb , try disperse red pepper in the holes , covering the medulla with chicken - wire , fence in electric light with tart fragment of gravel or other substance , or planting rodent - repelling bulbs likeFritillarianearby . How - to : Preparing ContainersContainersare excellent when used as an ornamental feature article , a planting option when there is fiddling or no dirt to plant in , or for plant life that want a soil type not found in the garden or when soil drainage in the garden is inferior . If develop more than one industrial plant in a container , make indisputable that all have similar cultural requisite . prefer a container that is deep and large enough to reserve root growth and growth as well as proportional equilibrium between the fully developed plant and the container . Plant prominent containers in the place you intend them to continue . All containers should have drainage maw . A mesh cover , separate clay muckle pieces(crock ) or a paper coffee filter set over the hole will keep soil from wash out . The potting grime you take should be an appropriate mix for the plants you have choose . Quality soils ( or soil - less medias ) immerse moisture readily and equally when wet . If water run off grease upon initial wetting , this is an index that your soil may not be as undecomposed as you think .
Prior to occupy a container with soil , wet pot soil in the bag or place in a tub or garden cart so that it is evenly moist . fill up container about midway full or to a level that will allow plant , when establish , to be just below the lip of the pot . Rootballs should be level with soil line when project is complete . piss well . How - to : Planting PerennialsDetermine appropriate perennials for your garden by reckon sun and shade through the day , exposure , water requirements , mood , soil makeup , seasonal color desired , and position of other garden industrial plant and trees .
The best times to set are spring and fall , when stain is workable and out of danger of freeze . Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top ontogenesis as in the bounce . Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for dusty areas , allowing full establishment before first wintertime . Planting in summertime or winter is not advisable for most plants , unless planting a more shew sized works .
To found container - grown plants : Prepare set gob with appropriate profundity and space between . irrigate the plant thoroughly and let the excess urine drain before cautiously take out from the container . Carefully loosen the origin ball and set the plant in the hole , working grunge around the roots as you fill . If the works is highly root bound , freestanding roots with finger . A few slits made with a scoop knife are ok , but should be kept to a lower limit . Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly , protecting from direct sun until stable .
To plant spare - radical plant life : works as soon as possible after leverage . Prepare worthy planting holes , spread roots and go soil among roots as you fill in . Water well and protect from direct Dominicus until stable .
To plant seedlings : A number of perennial farm self - sown seedlings that can be graft . You may also start your own seedling bed for transplanting . Prepare worthy planting hole , space appropriately for works evolution . Gently airlift the seedling and as much surrounding soil as possible with your garden trowel , and replant it immediately , tauten grime with fingertips and water well . Shade from direct sun and water on a regular basis until stable .
