Expert: Laura Walker - 11/11/2006

Question
We have several Iris bulbs that we got the end of August and never put them in the ground.  They have been kept clean and dry, but I wanted to know what I can do, if anything, to hold them over until spring?  We are in N.Idaho, Zone 4.

Answer
Fred,
You don't have to wait until spring if you have time to plant them now.I usually plant them along with all my other spring blooming bulbs.Irises usually follow shortly after the spring blooming bulbs like Tulips and Daffodils so it is fine to plant them now.If you want to wait until spring,that is fine too.They may not bloom as early as fall planted Iris bulbs or rhizomes but you should still get that seasons bloom.If you wait and plant in spring just make sure they are kept dry and cool.Hope they turn out lovely for you in any case!