Plant Bare Root Bearded Iris In The Fall!

When To Plant: 

• Bare Root Bearded Iris should be planted in the fall.  September is a good time in the Midwest.  
• Pot grown Iris can be planted any time from spring to fall. 
• Most fall blooming perennials should be divided in spring.  Most spring blooming perennials should be divided in fall.  Iris, however, should be divided six weeks after bloom.  Here in zone 5 Iris bloom around Memorial Day and are divided around July 4th. 
• Iris clumps should be divided every three to five years, or when they are not giving you as many blooms.

Where To Plant:  Iris do best in full sun.  Most bearded Iris really do need well drained soil.

How To Plant: 

• Soak the rhysomes for a couple of hours.  It's a good idea to use a mild solution of Root Stimulator. 
• Dig your hole deeper than you will place your plants and mix in bulb fertilizer.  This is a balanced fertilizer to encourage root growth as well as blooms.
• Arrange your iris in a group so the fans are pointed out and away from each other.  If they are pointed toward each other the leaves will cross and rub and they grow taller.  Be sure to leave room for expansion. 
• Do not plant the rhysomes too deep!  This is the number one cause of failure.  If the rhysomes are covered in moist soil they will rot.  You can see on the flesh how deep they were planted before they were dug.  They will lift from the ground as they mature.  Plant them so that you can see the top of the rhysome.
• Dust the top of the soil with sulpher.  This will irritate squirrels and other digging critters.
• Water in with Fertilome Root Stimulator.  Water.  Wait for blooms and enjoy!