Irises
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Did you know that Iris was the greek goddess of the rainbow? Irises take their name from the greek word for rainbow due to the range of colours available. In addition to colour, there is plenty of varieties to choose from as well, from the small iris cristata to the majestic bearded irises. Plan well and you can spread out the bloom time from early spring to early summer by buying several different types.
Irises grow from rhizomes that sit at or just below ground level. Bury them too deep and they will not flower. In fact I have been known to toss extras onto the compost pile only to come back and find them growing.
Although they do not bloom long, removing the spent flowers keeps them looking nice.
Irises need to be divided regularly. Most varieties multiply quickly and as a result they will become a mass of rhizomes with little plant growth in the center and few flowers within three to four years.
Here are some irises from my garden.
An early miniature dwarf iris, these are the first to bloom, appearing late April to early May. Plant under shrubs whose foliage will hide the fading iris leaves in the heat of summer.
By mid-May these standard dwarf blue toned medium height irises are blooming.
By the third week in May the tall bearded irises are just starting to bloom. This white variety is the first to bloom in my garden and in a good year will repeat bloom in fall.
Iris 'Earl of Essex' blooms for two weeks or more.
My Iris 'Diabolique' starts about a week later and looks great combined with 'Earl of Essex'. The buds start out so dark they are almost black.
One of my favourites for colour as well as foliage, Iris pallida 'Variegata'.
I think I love Siberian Irises best of all. Unlike Bearded Iris they are clump forming and do not need to be divided as frequently. The foliage remains upright all season making a great alternative to grasses. Although the seed heads can be left on for winter interest I do find that certain cultivars will create hundreds if not thousands of 'volunteers' the next year.
An unknown variety given to me from my Dad's garden.
Another variegated foliage variety, Iris pallida 'Argentia variegata', has a blue-green foliage with a white stripe. The flower is small so I use it mostly for foliage effect.
The last iris to bloom in my garden Iris 'Ringo'. Could be a later bloomer because it gets morning shade.
My Iris 'Diabolique' started about a week later and looks great combined with
'Earl of Essex'. The buds start out so dark they are almost black.