Immortality Reblooming Bearded Iris

Bearded iris rhizomes are easy to establish as long as they are planted shallow and given good drainage. Here is how to go from box to blooms.

Unboxing

• Unpack right away. Remove the rhizome from the packaging and let it air out in a cool, shaded spot until you can plant.
• Expect a firm rhizome. A healthy #1 rhizome is firm with trimmed fans of foliage and some dried roots; this is normal.
• Plant within a few days. If you must wait, keep the rhizome dry and out of direct sun rather than in water or soil bags.

Planting

1. Pick a sunny site. Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of sun; partial shade works, but full sun encourages the strongest rebloom.
2. Check drainage. Loosen soil 8-10 inches deep and amend heavy clay with compost or grit. Iris rhizomes rot in soggy ground.
3. Dig a shallow hole. Make a low mound in the center, set the rhizome on top, and spread the roots down the sides.
4. Keep the top exposed. Cover the roots and just barely cover the rhizome, leaving the upper surface at or slightly above soil level.
5. Space 24 inches apart. Point the leaf fan in the direction you want the clump to spread, and water in well after planting.

Watering

• Water to establish. Keep soil evenly moist but never saturated for the first 4-6 weeks.
• Then ease off. Established plants are drought tolerant and need water only during extended dry spells.
• Skip the heavy mulch. Never pile mulch over the rhizome; it traps moisture and invites rot.

Feeding

• Feed in early spring. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 around the clump as growth begins.
• Feed again after bloom. A second light application after spring flowering fuels the rebloom cycle.
• Avoid high nitrogen. Too much nitrogen produces leaves at the expense of flowers and can soften rhizomes.

Pruning & Maintenance

• Snap off spent stalks. Cut flower stems near the base once blooming finishes to redirect energy into new growth.
• Trim damaged foliage. Remove yellowed or spotted leaves during the season; cut remaining fans back to about 6 inches in late fall.
• Divide every 3-4 years. Lift crowded clumps in late summer, separate the rhizomes, and replant the healthiest pieces.

How is this iris shipped?

It ships as a #1 grade bare rhizome, not as a potted plant. Plant it shallow, with the top of the rhizome at the soil surface.

When will it bloom, and does it really rebloom?

Expect the main flush in mid-spring, with a second round of blooms later in the season once the plant is established. First-year rhizomes may only bloom once as they settle in.

How deep should I plant the rhizome?

Very shallow. Cover the roots fully but leave the top of the rhizome at or just barely below the soil surface. Planting too deep is the most common reason bearded iris fail to bloom.

Are bearded irises deer resistant?

Yes, deer and rabbits usually leave bearded iris alone. No plant is completely deer proof, but iris is rarely a first choice.

Is it safe around pets?

Iris rhizomes and leaves can cause stomach upset if chewed or eaten, so plant where curious pets are not likely to dig.

Do I need to protect it over winter?

It is hardy to zone 4 and needs no special protection. In the coldest zones, a light layer of loose straw over the soil after the ground freezes helps, but pull it back in early spring so the rhizome stays dry.