Irises ∗ The 10 best care tips and varieties (Iris)

Origin and Distribution

Irises are only native to the northern hemisphere and almost exclusively in temperate climates - for that the splendidly blooming summer flowers come in an unmanageable variety on almost every northern continent before. Incidentally, the generic name "Iris" refers to the Greek goddess of the rainbow of the same name, because the irises are also available in an incredible variety of colors. The spectrum of different flower and growth forms is just as inexhaustible, as there is from the low growing dwarf forms up to the tall growing bearded iris Variants. So it's no wonder that the Association of German Perennial Gardeners named the popular plant “Perennial of the Year” in 2016.

use

The uses for irises depend largely on the species and variety chosen. Varieties for damp surfaces feel at home on the edge of a garden pond or a stream, while iris species adapted to dry and sunny locations are wonderful Perennial bed or fit in the rock garden. You can also cultivate the magnificent perennials in pots, provided that there is an adequate supply of water and nutrients. The dwarf forms in particular - such as the low bearded irises - are suitable for a container culture.

In the bed, the pretty flowers with the extraordinary flowers are often mixed with perennials and bulb flowers such as peonies (Paeonia), delphinium (Delphinium), daylilies (Hemerocallis), poppies (Papaver), tulips (Tulipa) and lavender (Lavandula) as well as with grasses such as Blue fescue (Festuca cinerea) or giantFeather grass (Celtica gigantea) combined.

Appearance and stature

With the exception of the Netzblatt-Iris all iris species form rhizomes or Tubers out, no onions like for example Daffodils or crocuses. In spring, the long, sword-like leaves and the flower stems between 15 and 120 centimeters high, depending on the species and variety, peel off from these persistence organs. After the capsule fruits have developed and ripened in late summer or autumn, all of the above-ground parts of the plant die off and only the rhizome or rhizome hibernates. the tuber. Irises belong to the herbaceous, perennial plants.

Blossoms and flowering period

The beauty of the irises is primarily based on their unusually structured flowers, which are bright in many different colors. Iris flowers are characterized by their tripartite division: each consists of three upright standards and three additional bracts that hang down. These can be of the same color, but also of different colors. In some varieties, the bracts are fringed or ruffled at the edges, and the various bearded irises have a hairy "beard" on the back of the flower. The pistil, which consists of a three-branched stylus and the anthers, sits between the domes and the bracts.

Toxicity

Parents have certainly heard of the violet root as a teething aid for babies or even offered them to her child. The root, which has been used for centuries, does not come from the blue, contrary to all suspicions violet, but from the iris resp. Iris. In homeopathy, too, the native yellow iris, which is also known as the swamp sword lily, is used as a wound healing agent.

However, such areas of application that have been handed down in folk medicine should be treated with caution: All Iris species are poisonous and can cause typical symptoms of poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea and nausea Etc. cause. In addition, the hot substances contained in it cause irritation of the mucous membranes, increased salivation and difficulty swallowing. This not only applies to humans, but also to domestic and farm animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, horses, dogs and small rodents.

Location and soil

The ideal location for irises depends on the specific species. Typical swamp plants such as the Siberian iris (Iris sibirica, also known as meadow iris) or the domestic yellow iris (Iris pseudacorus) fresh to wet places in the garden, for example on a damp meadow or directly on the Pond edge.

Other irises, on the other hand, need a rather dry location with nutrient-rich, loamy and well-ventilated soil and plenty of sunlight. In contrast to the swamp iris, these species do not tolerate permanent moisture and are therefore best placed in the perennial bed or even in the rock garden. The popular bearded irises, for example, are quite drought-tolerant and therefore harmonize very well with similar species such as Sedum plant or thyme.

Furthermore, the small species in particular can be cultivated very well in pots, as long as you protect the planters from excessive moisture - especially during winter.

Plant irises correctly

The ideal planting time for all iris species are the months between the end of July and the beginning of October, although you can also plant the rhizomes in March or March if the weather permits. sink into the ground in November.

When planting the rhizomes, make sure that they are laid flat in the planting pit and that the top third still protrudes from the ground. Before planting, loosen the soil thoroughly and add compost and, if necessary, sand to the excavation. For better drainage in the case of rather heavy, loamy subsoils, pour a layer of sand about the thickness of your thumb into the shallow planting pit and place the rhizomes on it.

For extensive planting, for example for a border, you should plan between 12 and 16 irises that will stay low and between five and seven high-growing species per square meter.

Water irises

Planted and well-rooted irises basically only need additional watering if the drought persists. Specimens cultivated in pots, on the other hand, must be watered regularly, but must not be wet standing - good drainage is therefore essential, and a thumb test is also required before each watering perform.

Fertilize irises properly

Irises in the garden are enough in March or April with compost and a handful Horn shavings(€ 32.93 at Amazon *) to be fertilized, which if necessary (e.g. B. if deficiency symptoms occur) can be repeated again in June. Alternatively or For potted plants, use a fertilizer that is concentrated in potash.

Cut irises correctly

Cut the withered flowers about four inches above the ground to prevent seeds and seeds from forming. Some irises can be persuaded in this way to have a second flowering period. The leaves, on the other hand, are only removed in autumn, when they have withered and can be easily peeled off. Do not take this step earlier, as the underground rhizomes or Tubers extract valuable nutrients from the foliage and store them for the next budding.

Propagate irises

Every three to four years you should dig up the large-flowered species in late summer and divide the rhizomes. As a result, you not only multiply the irises, but also rejuvenate the otherwise aging plants and thus ensure increased flower development. Cut the rhizomes at the constricted sections, each section should have roots and a tuft of leaves. Shorten the leaves by approx. half so that the plants do not lose moisture unnecessarily before they take root.

Overwinter

Irises are usually hardy, so the bulbs or bulbs Rhizomes can stay in the ground during the winter months. The Siberian iris and other species suitable for moist soils are also covered with straw and leaves. Irises grown in pots can also hibernate outside, but should be placed in the rain shade or under a canopy.

Species and varieties

The group of irises (bot. Iris) is huge: 285 wild species are known, most of which come from the temperate climatic zones of the northern hemisphere. In addition, there is an almost unmanageable number of natural hybrids and cultivated forms, of which the so-called bearded iris is probably the best known. However, this is not a specific species, but a group of iris cultivars with one characteristic feature: its flowers not only bloom in all the colors of the rainbow, but also carry a small one Mustache.

Popular forms of culture

While botanists divide the genus into six different subgroups, the gardener only differentiates between bulbous and rhizome irises. The bearded irises already mentioned belong to the last group, which in turn are sorted into three further subgroups:

• Dwarf irises (Iris barbata 'Nana' hybrids): maximum 30 centimeters high, flowering from mid-April
• Medium-high bearded irises (Iris barbata 'Media' hybrids): Growth height up to 70 centimeters, flowering time from the end of April / beginning of May
• Tall bearded irises (Iris barbata 'Elatior' hybrids): stature height more than 70 centimeters, flowering from the end of May

Interesting varieties for the garden are, for example, these:

• 'Calling Cadence': two-tone yellow and burgundy red flowers, height approx. 90 centimeters
• 'Christmas Eve': two-tone white and yellow flowers, height approx. 95 centimeters
• 'Cracklin Rosie': burgundy red flowers, height approx. 100 centimeters
• 'Crooked Little Smile': two-tone yellow and blue flowers, height approx. 80 centimeters
• 'Embrace Me': pink flowers, up to approx. 100 centimeters
• 'Joyful Journey': flowers in orange and yellow, height up to approx. 90 centimeters
• 'Misty Morning Melody': two-tone blue and white flowers, height approx. 95 centimeters
• 'Shelter from the Storm': two-tone blue and light blue flowers, height approx. 100 centimeters

More hybrid species

Over the centuries, different hybrid species and varieties have developed naturally, which are also popular to plant in the home garden:

• Bristle Iris (Iris setosa)
• Great Iris (Iris magnifica)
• Bare-stemmed iris (Iris aphylla)
• Reticulated Iris (Iris reticulata)
• Rainbow iris (Iris innominata)
• Butterfly Iris (Iris orientalis)
• Terracotta iris (Iris fulva)

Game species for the garden

Furthermore, the gardener makes a distinction between irises for moist and irises for rather dry locations. Ideal for the swamp bed or the edge of the pond are about these uncomplicated species:

• Swamp iris (Iris pseudacorus): native species
• Siberian iris (Iris sibirica): also meadow iris
• Japanese Magnificent Iris (Iris ensata)
• Japanese iris (Iris haematophylla)

The following species, on the other hand, prefer a dry and sunny spot in the garden:

• Steppe iris (Iris spuria)
• Bastard iris (Iris spuria hybrids)
• Grass iris (Iris graminea)
• Variegated Iris (Iris variegata)