How to Grow Irises

Early summer is the time iris plants begin to bloom in New England. These stunning perennial flowers share their name with the Greek goddess of the rainbow, and if you’ve ever seen an iris bloom, you can probably guess why. Irises are found in a variety of colors, like blue, white, pink, orange, or yellow, and even come in attractive combinations of these hues. Aside from their beauty, irises are desirable for several more practical reasons: they’re easy to grow, they’ll quickly multiply on their own, and their drought resistance, deer resistance, and immunity to many plant diseases make them an incredibly hardy plant. In addition to all of these wonderful qualities, they’re also known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, which are always welcome guests to any garden! Every garden can benefit from the presence of these stunning and elegant flowers, which are just as attractive when displayed alone or in groups. Because of their tall stalks and bright colors, they stand out above any of their low-growing neighbors and can also make for beautiful additions to cut flower bouquets. Read on to learn how to plant, transplant, and care for the iris—a classic garden flower. Once it’s planted, you’ll be able to enjoy your iris flower bed for many years to come.

How to Grow Irises

When to Plant or Transplant Iris Plants

The best time to plant or transplant irises is either in the late summer or right after the plant has bloomed and gone by. Most iris plants bloom only once per year, though some varieties of the bearded iris will flower twice in one summer.

How to Plant or Transplant Iris Plants

Choose a location that has slightly acidic, well-draining soil and that receives sun for a majority of the day. To transplant, first cut back the dead flowers and most of the stems. Then, gently dig up the rhizomes (fleshy roots) of the plant. After digging new holes that are approximately 3-4 inches deep, place the rhizomes in groups of three about a foot or so apart. This will allow room for the rhizomes to multiply and spread. Fill the holes with soil, pat gently, and water. That’s it! Look for your newly-planted irises to bloom the following summer. After a few years, your iris bed should be lush and full, and the transplanting process may be repeated to start a new iris garden in another location. Alternatively, share the rhizomes with friends to spread the beauty of the iris flower even further! Do you have irises in your garden? This post was first published in 2016 and has been updated.