Iris come in a stunning array of colors, but one of the most captivating combinations is the vibrant purple petals contrasted with golden yellow beards These regal flowers evoke medieval tapestries and elegant floral arrangements If you’d like to cultivate these beauties in your own garden, growing purple iris with yellow beards is easier than you may think.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover how to select, plant, and care for purple iris so you can enjoy their gorgeous blooms year after year
Overview of Purple Iris Varieties
Many types of bearded iris produce the classic purple and yellow color combination Some top options include
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German Iris – The most commonly grown bearded iris. Varieties like ‘William A. Setchell’ have deep purple petals and bright yellow-orange beards.
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Siberian Iris – Native to Russia and China. ‘Caesar’s Brother’ is a popular dark purple cultivar.
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Japanese Iris – Featuring broad, flat blooms. ‘Velvet Night’ has nearly black purple flowers.
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Louisiana Iris – Native to swampy areas of the Southern US. ‘Black Gamecock’ has a stunning black-purple color.
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Median Iris – Compact, early blooming types. ‘Red Hot’ shows off rich purple red blooms.
German bearded iris offer the widest range of purple shades, from pale lavender to reddish-purple to deep royal purple. They also sport the most vibrant yellow beards.
Growing Conditions for Purple Bearded Iris
When choosing the planting site, keep these conditions in mind:
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Sunlight – Bearded iris require at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is ideal.
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Soil – Well-drained soil is essential. Amend clay soils with compost; avoid overly rich soil. Neutral pH of 6.5-7 is optimal.
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Water – Keep soil moist but not soggy during spring growth and blooming. Drought tolerant when established.
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Hardiness Zones – Most bearded iris grow well in zones 3-10. Siberian and Japanese iris prefer zones 3-8. Louisiana iris suit zones 7-11.
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Spacing – Allow 12-24 inches between rhizomes depending on variety size. Avoid crowding.
Proper sun exposure, well-drained soil, and sufficient spacing enable the iris to thrive. Having the right site is key to success.
When to Plant Bearded Iris Rhizomes
Iris rhizomes are typically planted in mid to late summer through early fall. However, container-grown rhizomes may be planted in spring after the last frost as well.
Aim for a planting time about 2 months before your first fall frost date. This gives the roots time to establish before winter dormancy. Early planting maximizes bloom for the following year.
In hot climates, plant iris rhizomes in fall for winter and spring flowering. Make sure to keep rhizomes watered regularly after planting.
How to Plant Iris Rhizomes for Growth
Follow these tips for properly planting iris rhizomes:
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Soak rhizomes in water for 1-2 hours before planting to rehydrate.
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Dig a shallow trench or hole no deeper than 1-2 inches. Iris are surface rooters.
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Place the rhizome in the hole with the roots down and the foliage and growing tip facing up.
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Backfill soil and firm gently. Ensure the rhizome top is just visible above ground.
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Space rhizomes 12-24 inches apart depending on variety size.
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Water thoroughly after planting. Continue weekly watering until established.
Proper shallow planting allows the rhizomes to access sunlight and air circulation. Keep soil moist but not saturated. Add a thin mulch layer to conserve moisture.
Caring for Bearded Iris After Planting
Once planted, iris require minimal care:
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Watering – Water weekly to keep soil evenly moist during spring and fall growth. Established iris tolerate drier conditions.
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Fertilizing – Apply balanced fertilizer in early spring and again 6 weeks after bloom time. Use half-strength rates.
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Pruning – Cut back foliage to 6 inches after it browns in late fall. Remove spent flower stalks after blooming.
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Dividing – Clumps should be divided and replanted every 3-5 years to promote vigor.
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Pests – Watch for iris borers and aphids. Maintain good garden sanitation.
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Diseases – Improve airflow and avoid overcrowding to prevent fungal issues like leaf spot.
With a sunny site, occasional fertilization, and division when overcrowded, bearded iris deliver years of breathtaking blooms with little fuss.
When Purple Iris Blooms Appear
Most bearded iris varieties bloom in late spring to early summer. Peak bloom time is typically May to June. However, some reblooming iris varieties extend the show into summer or even fall.
Bloom duration is relatively short for individual flowers, usually only lasting several days. But each rhizome produces multiple flower stalks in succession, ensuring up to 6 weeks of gorgeous blossoms in spring.
The exact bloom time is influenced by your local climate and weather patterns. Planting in fall allows root growth for abundant spring flowering.
Tips for Growing Stunning Purple Iris
Follow these best practices for success with vivid purple iris:
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Shop for rhizomes in summer and fall when the best selections are available. Seek large, firm rhizomes without mold or rot.
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Discard any mushy or damaged portions of rhizomes before planting. Healthy rhizomes have a good chance of thriving.
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Group 3-7 rhizomes of the same variety together for a bold color statement. Vary heights for dimensional interest.
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Plant purple iris as borders, in beds, or in containers like galvanized steel tubs. They also make excellent cut flowers.
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Remove spent blooms promptly to encourage reblooming. Fertilize after initial flowering for the healthiest plants.
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When dividing, replant only the youngest, most vigorous rhizome sections to propagate.
With a passion for purple blooms and a patch of sunlight, you can enjoy the elegant beauty of purple bearded iris for years to come. Let these regal flowers add majesty to your landscape.
Dividing and Planting Bearded Iris | #GoodGrowing
FAQ
What does a yellow bearded iris mean?
What are the purple and yellow irises called?
Is yellow bearded iris invasive?
How do you take care of yellow bearded irises?
What is a purple bearded iris?
This is the old fashioned heirloom purple colored German bearded iris that is a close cousin to Iris albicans. We believe it to be the variety Iris ‘William A. Setchell’. An old name for this bulb is Iris germanica “Purple Iris.” Its softball size blooms emit strong, honey sweet fragrance! Large and healthy tubers.
When does a bearded iris flower?
If your iris blooms this early it is a reticulata type. In late spring tulips and peonies are flowering and this is the time when the bearded iris type flowers. Very short bearded iris will flower earlier, before peonies, and the taller bearded iris flower at about the same time as peonies.
What is a purple iris?
We believe it to be the variety Iris ‘William A. Setchell’. An old name for this bulb is Iris germanica “Purple Iris.” Its softball size blooms emit strong, honey sweet fragrance! Large and healthy tubers. Although we’re not sure of the EXACT provenance of this old fashioned purple iris, as there are many, we believe it to be this.
How long does a bearded iris last?
Multiple award-winning Iris ‘Edith Wolford’ is exceptionally beautiful with its blue-violet falls crowned by gleaming, light canary yellow standards. Heavily ruffled, the blossoms of this spectacular Bearded Iris never fail to draw attention, whether in the garden or at home where it will enjoy a long vase life (1 week or more).
What is a yellow banded iris?
It was also known as Iris ochroleuca for a long time. It is commonly known as yellow banded iris in the U.S. and Turkish iris in the UK but also has some other less common names. It is very hardy and has been known to naturalize in various countries. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate regions.
What do IRIS standards look like?
The standards are three petals that are standing straight up. In this picture the standards are white and the falls are purple. In many iris the standards and falls are quite distinct, but in some, like the Japanese iris, the standards are mostly horizontal and start looking like falls.