Expert: Kenneth Joergensen - 4/5/2006

Question
I just purchased dutch iris and repeat blooming bearded iris's from
a local big box store. the insructions are for spring planting. i
thought iris bulbs needed to winter over to bloom. from the
instructions on the packaging if i plant them now i will have spring
flowers. i live in the upper hudson valley of ny.
thanks, mac

Answer
Dutch iris, despite being a bulb, does not need to be prechilled to flower. You can plant in ground now and they fill flower in early summer. Fall planted dutch iris will flower sooner. Plant the bulbs at the bottom of a 4-6" deep hole with the pointy tip facing up.

TB (tall bearded) iris are rhizomes (not bulbs) and should not be kept in storage long. Plant these immedately. Plant them AT SOIL LEVEL. It is best if you can leave the rhizomes so they touch the soil but the rhizome itself is above ground. Also use very well amended, light soil. Hard,heavy clay will root the rhizomes. Soak the rhizome (and roots) in water before planting.

Fertilize both when green growth shows.

Here are some pictures:

Rhizome:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/kdjoergensen/gardening/iris/Dscn8127.jpg

Rhizomes planted at top of soil (touching with roots in soil but rhizome not burried). Note distance between them:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/kdjoergensen/gardening/iris/Dscn8136.jpg


Enjoy:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v345/kdjoergensen/gardening/iris/DSCN2473.jpg

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-- Kenneth