Iris is a popular garden flower. This ornamental plant is usually planted near houses, in garden plots and in botanical gardens. The name "iris" comes from the Greek word, which means - "rainbow". Like a rainbow, irises come in different colors, such as pink, yellow, orange, white, purple, blue, lilac, red and even purplish brown.

It is believed that this flower symbolizes faith, peace, wisdom, friendship and hope. The violet colored plant symbolizes wisdom, yellow - passion. Blue flower symbolizes hope and faith, and white - purity.

Botanical Description

Irises are a large group of perennials, numbering about 300 species. About 60 species are popular in Russia. It is the largest genus belonging to the genus Iridaceae. Iris is an easy-to-grow butterfly-attracting plant that is popular in many parts of the world. Irises can be very low, but rather high specimens can be found. Differences in plants can be in the form of flowers and color.

There are 2 main types of irises:

• rhizomatous (has a thick stem, grows horizontally and partially grows underground);
• bulbous (grow from bulbs. The main requirement is a mandatory rest period after flowering).

Irises bloom among the first, but the flowering period can be different, it depends on climatic conditions and varieties. It can attack in May and last until mid-summer. Almost all types of iris prefer fertile soil. However, there are species that can grow in marshy places, and there are those that can withstand the harsh subarctic climate.

Popular varieties

Bulbous specimens are divided into 3 independent genera: Iridodictium (reticular), Juno (Juno), and Xiphion (Kasatik, or Cockerel).

Iridodictium (Reticulated Iris) grows well in open ground. Flowering occurs in the first 2 months of spring and lasts for 2 weeks. From different shades in the spring, an amazing multi-colored carpet appears with or without stripes, with spots and just plain.

Did you know? Irises have been a floral icon for centuries, inspiring craftsmen to beautiful paintings, perfumes, and they even have their own day, which falls on May 8th.

Bulbs of iridodictium are small (1.5–2 cm), ovate. Outer flakes are fibrous, inner ones are fleshy. The flower stalk is poorly developed, at the end of flowering it has a size of about 8 cm. The seeds are small, ripen in a triangular box, easily cracked. Suitable for cultivation are those bulbs that are at least 3-4 years old.

The height of iridodictiums is up to 15 cm. The appearance of leaves occurs with the kidneys. They have a narrow shape, hard to the touch. Usually, the appearance of the first exotic flower (diameter 5–7 cm) is characteristic of this genus.

Irises, plants that do not tolerate excessive moisture. Fungal infection is a frequent enemy of a plant growing in open ground. The rest of Iridodictium is undemanding to care.

Reticulated iris is the most common species. Flowers 5-6 cm in diameter. The flavor is not in all varieties. The flowers are light red-purple.

Breeders breed these varieties:

1. Cantab - frost-resistant variety with early and long flowering. It grows from 15 cm to 20 cm. The flowers are blue.
2. Harmony and Joyce - decorative varieties that appear immediately after the snow melts. Peduncle up to 11 cm, has blue petals.
3. J.S.Diit (cockerels) - winter-hardy variety, characterized by a single abundant flowering. The flowers are tiny, up to 8 cm, have a light purple hue or dark purple.
4. Alida - winter-hardy, unpretentious grade in leaving. Blue flowers. Flowering occurs from February to April.
5. Royal (Dutch variety) - characterized by blue, yellow, dark cherry, violet-purple with lilac bordering color of flowers.
6. Clairette (Iris Snowdrop) - dwarf species, country of origin Netherlands. Has bicolor perianths. The outer petals of cornflower-violet color, the inner ones are pale blue.
7. Katarin Khodkin - a very popular variety in Russia. Like gardeners due to the beautiful color. The upper flowers are lilac with a blue tint, and on the lower inflorescences there is a yellow speck on a violet-lilac background.
8. Natasha - blooms in May and June. Differs in a blue color of flowers with unusual snow-white shimmer. The variety was bred by the Dutch scientist V.P. Van Eeden.
9. Pauline - (Dutch variety). The plant is characterized by a juicy purple hue of flowers. It grows poorly in the shade, you need a lot of sunlight.
10. George - a plant with purple flowers. The variety was also created by W. Van Eeden, named after the botanist George Rodionenko, a specialist in plant acclimatization. Suitable for growing both in open and in closed ground.

Genus Juno more numerous than iridodictium. It includes up to 40 species of bulbous plants growing in the Caucasian region, in Asia, in South African countries and in the Mediterranean. Juno species can have different heights: from 10 to 50 cm. The leaves are arranged on the stem in several rows. The appearance of flowers comes from the sinuses of the leaves and in the apical part of the stem, therefore, often the appearance of up to 10 buds on one stem. Juno is characterized by flowering in April-May. The flowers are white, yellow, purple and lilac. Popular varieties: Blue Mystery, Sindpers.

Xiphium - a group of 6 species. When planting a plant in open ground in the middle zone, annual digging will be required.

Of the varieties often selected:

• Symphony;
• Broad-leaved iris;
• France Halls;
• The Yellow Queen

Xifium leaves are narrow and elongated. The flowers are plain, large (10 cm in diameter), they look somewhat rustic, when compared with other bulbous species. The height of the culture varies from 30 to 80 cm.

Landing Features

To grow irises, it is enough to provide them with a well-lit place. Successful growth is not excluded both in full sun and partial shade. In summer, it is better for the plant that the soil is dry than too wet.

Did you know? Bearded iris — Tennessee State Flower and February official plant.

So, the bulbs will be more likely to give flowering next year. To ensure constant flowering for several years in a row, you can plant additional bulbs every fall or grow this plant annually, planting new bulbs every fall.

Disembarkation time

Plant a plant in open ground with the onset of autumn (September). Plants on warm September days take root better and give a beautiful spring bloom. In warmer regions, landing can be delayed until mid-October.

It takes about 1.5 months to adapt and root a culture. If planted even later (in November), then the bulbous culture needs to be insulated for the winter. Otherwise, the bulbs simply will not have time for rooting, and they can freeze in the winter cold.

Soil selection

The neutral acidity of the soil is quite suitable for irises, it is important that it is well-drained. However, the ideal soil for the plant is limestone. An alkaline reaction is achieved when chalk, lime and egg shells are introduced into the soil.

The soil, in which sand predominates, is supplemented by humus. In this soil, it is worth adding ash and superphosphate in the ratio: 40 g of fertilizing per 1 m². Coarse sand, humus and compost are added to clay soil.

Important! If the soil is too wet and does not dry well, the irises will dry out.

How to plant

The agricultural technology of irises depends on the variety. However, each of them is important:

• prevent excessive soil moisture;
• fertilize with mineral fertilizers on time;
• have access to sunlight.

In order to prevent dampness, it is better to plant flowers on the southern slope. You can artificially raise the flower bed by 25-30 cm. This will ensure a good outflow of water after rain.

Before boarding should:

• dig and loosen the soil;
• enrich with organic fertilizers.

Did you know? Vincent Van Gogh, a famous Dutch artist, painted 2 paintings depicting irises. These paintings are highly appreciated in the modern world of art.

Landing is performed onion. It is worth considering some nuances:

• large bulbs are laid in the soil to a depth of 7-8 cm;
• small specimens deepen by 3-4 cm.

The interval between the landing pits should be at least 10 cm, for single landings. For group - have 10 bulbs close to each other. After planting, the ground is watered for better rooting.

Further care

Irises do not need special care during the flowering period. Just remove the fading flowers. Do this carefully, without damaging the leaves. Systematic loosening of the soil will provide the necessary access of air and water to the roots. Timely weeding will not allow the plant to grow with weeds.

In case of danger of a sharp drop in air temperature, you need to mulch the soil and cover. Young plants, which are less than a year old, need shelter for the winter. Adult plants tolerate winter frosts well.

For only planted bulbs, shelter can serve:

• fallen foliage;
• pine or spruce branches.

With the arrival of spring heat, after the snow melts, the shelter is removed.

Watering and feeding

The next time after planting, irises need watering in 2-6 days. Weather conditions are an important factor here. When the kidneys begin to form, the soil is well moistened. During active growth and flowering, irises are watered as the soil dries, but crusts should not be allowed to appear on the ground.

Important! Timely and balanced dressing will give intense and productive flowering, add decorativeness to the plant.

In the spring, in anticipation of drying of the topsoil, fertilizers are applied. It can be ready-made preparations for bulb flowers or dry mixes. The soil is fertilized by scattering small granules on the surface of the earth, in the proportions indicated on the package.

There is a three-stage option for feeding irises:

1. In spring, nitrogen (2 parts), phosphorus (1 part), potassium (3 parts) are added. This top dressing is added to dry soil.
2. At the moment of nucleation of the kidneys, the same composition is added, but in a different ratio - 3: 1: 3.
3. A month after the beginning of flowering, plants need potassium and phosphorus in equal proportions.

Video: Feeding for irises

Pruning

There are several cropping steps. The first time, dried flower stems are removed after flowering. Do it with special clippers. You need to step back 2 cm from the kidney and cut off the faded bud. Closed kidneys are not removed. After losing the decorativeness of the flower, the stem is cut at a distance of 2.5 cm from the ground.

During active growth, the stems are not cut, otherwise the plant will lose nutrients. It will also negatively affect the frost resistance of irises. Leaves that turn yellow must be cut off. Wilted inflorescences also should not remain on the stems. Leaves are removed in the fall (October), until frosts begin, the cut is made in the shape of a cone. A 15-centimeter stem is left from the ground.

Some varieties tend to bloom again. First in the spring, and then in the fall. In this case, in July, after flowering ends, the stems are cut. This is necessary so that energy consumption is directed to the buds that have not yet opened.

Digging bulbs for the winter

Bulbs and tubers are dug between the last days of summer and early autumn. Perform the following actions:

1. Raise the iris from the ground with a shovel or pitchfork. Bulbs can have growing roots. You need to be very careful and try to keep as many roots as possible when digging them out of the ground.
2. If the lump of the iris begins to fall apart, then carefully break the large mass into smaller parts and carefully remove it from the hole.
3. Brush off as much soil as possible, breaking the lumps into pieces. This will help to see places where the plant is easily divided.
4. Near the center of the bulb may be large areas that do not have leaf fans. They can be deleted. It is necessary to check the bulbs for the accumulation of pests and the presence of diseases.

The plant is thrown away if any signs of infection of the iris bulbs are detected.

Diseases and Pests

Irises are especially sensitive to pests that even punch holes in the bulbs. Often, pests can be found in dead parts of plants. To prevent the appearance of intruders, you should spray on irises funds (universal pesticides) designed to combat them. This should be done every 2 weeks. Pest and disease control procedures should begin from the period when the leaves are at least 10 cm. As soon as the buds appear, the treatment is completed.

Caterpillars of the butterfly scoop can harm the plant to get rid of their invasion, granozan is introduced into the soil around the culture. From thrips, it is worth spraying the plant with diluted malathion based on 10 l of water - 20-30 g of the product.

Bacteriosis is a common ailment that often affects the plant. In particular, roots and bulbs suffer, individual parts rot. The plant must be dug up, removed damaged parts, rinse the bulbs in a weak solution of potassium permanganate and transplanted to another place.

The onset of the disease is determined by the following signs:

• the number of leaves in the bunch becomes less;
• kidneys are weakly formed.

To overcome the rot that affects the plant, you need to carefully take the damaged flower, shake off the excess layer of soil and cut off the affected areas with a sharp garden knife. Improve the plant in a growth stimulator, let it dry and plant it in a new place.

Many gardeners decorate their flower gardens with irises, as this perennial culture will help any recreation area look beautiful and charming. Thanks to proper care, you will be able to create a unique composition on your lawn or flowerbed. It is important to be able to choose the right (suitable) variety for planting, so that the plant feels comfortable in this climate zone.