Reblooming Tall Bearded Iris Mixture

Bearded irises are simple to establish if you remember one rule: plant them shallow. The top of the rhizome should sit right at or barely below the soil surface where it can bake in the sun. Follow the steps below from the day your order arrives through the first full bloom season.

Unboxing

• Open promptly. Unpack the rhizomes as soon as they arrive and let them air out in a cool, shaded spot with good airflow.
• Expect trimmed fans. Leaves are cut back and roots may look dry and wiry. This is normal for shipping and does not affect performance.
• Plant within a week. If you cannot plant right away, store the rhizomes dry and uncovered, never sealed in plastic or sitting in water.

Planting

1. Pick the sunniest spot. Choose a site with at least 6 hours of direct sun and no standing water; reblooming varieties need full sun to set a second round of buds.
2. Improve drainage. Loosen soil 10-12 inches deep and mix in compost or coarse grit if your ground is heavy clay. Raised beds and gentle slopes are ideal.
3. Dig a shallow, wide hole. Form a small mound in the center, set the rhizome on top, and spread the roots down the sides.
4. Keep the back exposed. Backfill so the roots are covered but the upper surface of the rhizome is just visible at soil level (in very hot climates, cover with no more than 1 inch of soil).
5. Space for airflow. Set rhizomes 12-18 inches apart with the leaf fans pointing in the direction you want the clump to spread.
6. Water in once. Soak thoroughly after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Watering

• First season. Water deeply about once a week if rain is short, letting the soil dry between waterings.
• Established plants. Irises are drought tolerant; water during extended dry spells and again in late summer to encourage rebloom.
• Avoid soggy soil. Constant moisture around the rhizome is the main cause of rot. Never let irrigation spray sit on the crowns.

Feeding

• Early spring. Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer such as 5-10-10 or bone meal around, not on top of, the rhizomes.
• After spring bloom. Feed reblooming varieties a second light application to fuel the fall flush.
• Go easy on nitrogen. High-nitrogen lawn fertilizer produces floppy foliage and soft rhizomes prone to rot.

Pruning and Maintenance

• Deadhead spent stalks. Cut flower stems down to the base after blooming to keep energy in the rhizome and encourage rebloom.
• Tidy foliage in fall. Trim leaves to about 6 inches after frost and remove dead leaves to reduce iris borer and leaf spot.
• Mulch carefully. Keep mulch off the rhizomes; a light straw cover over the roots is fine in zone 3-4 winters and should be pulled back in spring.
• Divide every 3-4 years. In mid to late summer, lift crowded clumps, discard woody centers, and replant firm rhizomes with healthy fans.

Reblooming Tall Bearded Iris FAQs

Will these really bloom twice in one year?

Yes, once established, reblooming tall bearded irises can flower more than once per year. They reliably bloom in late spring, and many send up a second set of flower stalks in late summer or fall. Rebloom is strongest in zones 5-9 when plants receive full sun, regular late-summer watering, and a feeding after the first bloom. In colder zones, early frost may shorten the fall display, and first-year plants may bloom only in spring while they get established.

What colors will I receive?

This is a designer's-choice mix of named reblooming tall bearded iris varieties, selected from current stock. Colors may include blue, purple, violet, white, cream, yellow, apricot, and bicolor combinations. Specific varieties and an exact number of each color cannot be guaranteed, but mixes are assembled to provide attractive contrast.

Are bearded irises deer and rabbit resistant?

Yes, bearded irises are considered highly resistant to deer and rabbits. These animals usually avoid the foliage and flowers, making irises a practical choice for unfenced garden beds. No plant is completely browse-proof, especially when other food is scarce, but bearded irises are generally left alone.

Are they toxic to pets?

Yes. Iris rhizomes and leaves contain compounds that can be irritating if eaten and are considered toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingestion may cause drooling, vomiting, or digestive upset. Plant them where curious pets are unlikely to dig or chew, and contact your veterinarian if your pet eats any part of the plant.

How do they ship, and how big will the plants be?

Reblooming bearded irises ship as dormant No. 1 grade rhizomes with trimmed foliage and bare roots, rather than as potted plants. Once growing, each rhizome develops a fan of foliage about 24-36 inches tall, with flower stalks reaching approximately 2.5-3 feet. Established clumps can spread to about 12-18 inches wide within a couple of seasons.

Why are my iris leaves turning to mush at the base?

Soft, mushy growth at the base is usually a sign of rhizome rot caused by excess moisture or planting too deeply. Pull mulch and soil away so the top of the rhizome is exposed to sunlight. Cut away any soft or rotting tissue with a clean knife, and improve drainage if the soil stays wet. If needed, move the plant to a raised or sunnier location where the rhizome can stay drier.