Black Is Black Bearded Iris

Bearded iris rhizomes are simple to establish as long as they get sun and sharp drainage. Unpack your plant right away, let any packing material fall free, and plan to get it in the ground or a container within a few days.

Planting

1. Pick a sunny spot. Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun; too much shade reduces flowering.
2. Prep the soil. Loosen soil 8-10 inches deep and mix in compost if drainage is poor. Iris will rot in soggy ground, so avoid low spots.
3. Set the depth. Plant rhizomes shallow, with the top just at or barely below the soil surface and roots fanned downward. Potted plants go in at the same depth as their nursery pot.
4. Space them out. Allow 12-18 inches between plants so clumps have room to expand and air can circulate.
5. Water in. Soak thoroughly once after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Watering

• First season. Water deeply about once a week while roots establish, letting the surface dry between waterings.
• After established. Rely mostly on rainfall; add water only during extended dry spells.
• Never keep it wet. Standing water and heavy mulch over the rhizome are the most common causes of rot.

Feeding

• Spring feeding. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 as new growth appears.
• Second application. Feed again lightly about a month after bloom to build strong rhizomes for next year.
• Go easy. Excess nitrogen produces floppy leaves and fewer flowers.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Deadhead spent blooms. Snap off faded flowers and cut flower stalks to the base once blooming finishes.
• Leave the leaves. Keep green foliage through summer to feed the rhizome, then trim damaged or browned leaves.
• Fall cleanup. Cut foliage back to 4-6 inches and clear debris to reduce overwintering pests.
• Divide every 3-4 years. Lift crowded clumps in late summer, trim and separate healthy rhizomes, and replant.

Container Growing

• Use a wide pot. A 12-inch or larger container with drainage holes and gritty, well-drained mix works best.
• Winter protection. In zones 3-5, move pots against a sheltered wall or bury them in mulch to buffer freeze-thaw cycles.

How dark are the flowers really?

They are a very deep, velvety purple-black. In bright sun the petals read as near-black with a subtle violet sheen, and the beard is a dark blue-black.

When will it bloom after planting?

Rhizomes planted in fall usually bloom the following late spring. Plants set out in spring may put on a partial show the first year and hit full stride in year two once roots are established.

Is bearded iris toxic to pets?

Yes, iris rhizomes and leaves are toxic if chewed or eaten and can cause drooling, vomiting, and digestive upset in dogs and cats. Plant where curious pets do not dig.

Do deer or rabbits eat it?

Bearded iris is generally considered deer and rabbit resistant. Animals tend to avoid the bitter foliage and rhizomes, though no plant is completely browse-proof.

Can I leave it in the ground over winter?

Yes. It is hardy in zones 3 through 9. Cut foliage back in fall and apply a light mulch after the ground freezes in cold zones, pulling mulch off the rhizome in spring.

Why is my iris not flowering?

The usual causes are too much shade, rhizomes planted too deeply, overcrowded clumps that need dividing, or high-nitrogen fertilizer. Give it full sun, shallow planting, and divide every three to four years.