Irises have beautiful flowers that make a backyard look great. Some bloom in the summer, while others shine in the late winter.
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Irises are beautiful perennials that, depending on the type, can bloom between late winter and early fall. When picking plants for your plot, it’s helpful to narrow down the flowering times of each variety. That way, you can plan how to use them and what to plant with them.
There is an iris for everyone, from small plants grown from bulbs to tall, beautiful ones that stand out in summer borders. It’s helpful that the huge selection can be broken down into more general groups. This helps gardeners figure out when to expect their beautiful show.
So, if you want to grow irises or learn how to grow bearded irises but aren’t sure how to arrange them in your garden, this guide will help.
With their stunning blooms in a rainbow of colors, irises are a beloved garden flower. Irises come in many different types that bloom at various times from early spring through fall. Knowing when each iris variety is in season helps gardeners plan for an extended display. This guide covers the peak bloom times for the most popular types of irises.
Main Iris Blooming Seasons
Early Spring: Dwarf irises like Iris reticulata bloom as some of the first flowers in late winter and early spring. These miniature bulbs open their colorful cup-shaped blooms on short stems, providing a welcome show when little else is flowering.
Mid Spring This is peak season for most bearded iris varieties The classic tall bearded iris germanica varieties put on their spectacular show of ruffled blooms in May and early June in most regions Other bearded iris types like intermediate and dwarf also bloom in mid spring,
Late Spring: Siberian irises (Iris sibirica) and Japanese irises (Iris ensata) bloom in late spring to early summer after most bearded irises are finished. Their unique open flowers and grassy foliage add lovely texture to the garden.
Early Summer Spuria irises extend the iris season into early summer, blooming into July in some areas Native irises like Louisianna iris (Iris giganticaerulea) also bloom at this time.
Summer: Dutch irises and English irises, types of bulbous irises in the Xiphium group, flower mid summer into early fall. They make great companions to summer perennials.
Fall: Some reblooming bearded iris varieties will flower again in fall if conditions are right. This second bloom often occurs 8-10 weeks after the initial spring bloom time.
Popular Iris Types and Blooming Seasons
Here is a more detailed overview of when popular iris varieties bloom:
Dwarf Iris
Bloom Time: Early spring
Details: These tiny bulb irises flower earliest. Iris danfordiae, Iris reticulata, and Iris histrioides bloom February to March in mild winter climates and March to early April in colder areas. Grow these petite irises in rock gardens, borders, and containers.
Bearded Iris (Iris germanica)
Bloom Time: Mid to late spring
Details: This classic iris has over 80,000 registered cultivars. Bloom time depends on type and climate. In general, dwarfs bloom first in April, followed by intermediates in early May. Tall beardeds flower mid May into June, with some reblooming again in fall.
Louisiana Iris (Iris giganticaerulea)
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Details: Louisiana irises love wet soil and put on a striking display of huge, brightly colored blooms in water gardens or moist garden soil in zones 7-10. Peak bloom is May to June.
Siberian Iris (Iris sibirica)
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Details: These dependable perennials bloom late spring into early summer. Cultivars range from tall types over 4 feet to compact dwarfs under 1 foot tall. Siberians do well in wet and average garden soils.
Japanese Iris (Iris ensata)
Bloom Time: Late spring to early summer
Details: Huge 6 inch blooms make a dramatic statement in late spring and early summer. Japanese irises need rich, moist soil and are ideal for ponds and water gardens.
Spuria Iris
Bloom Time: Early to mid summer
Details: Spurias extend the bearded iris bloom season into summer. Ruffled blooms rise above arching sword-like foliage. Spurias tolerate wet and dry soils.
Dutch Iris
Bloom Time: Mid to late summer
Details: Dutch irises are bulbous irises that flower mid summer into fall. Their strap-like leaves and elegant uniform blooms make them great cut flowers. Plant en masse for a bold summer display.
English Iris
Bloom Time: Mid summer to early fall
Details: Much like Dutch iris, these bulbous irises bloom mid summer into fall and work nicely in perennial gardens, borders, and containers. English irises are known for their sweet fragrance.
Extending the Iris Bloom Season
With so many different iris species and cultivars available, it’s possible to have irises in bloom for up to 6 months from early spring through fall:
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Plant early bloomers like dwarf iris and reticulata iris for the first flush of spring color.
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Fill the mid spring season with a selection of bearded irises in a range of heights. Go for a mix of early, mid, and late blooming varieties.
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Add Siberian and Japanese irises for late spring bloom.
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Include spurias and Louisiana irises for early summer flowers.
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Extend the bloom season into summer and fall with Dutch and English irises.
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For fall blooms, choose reblooming bearded iris cultivars.
By incorporating a diverse blend of iris types in the garden, you can build a dynamic display that evolves throughout the seasons. With so many stunning colors and bloom forms to choose from, irises are sure to be stars of the garden from spring to frost.
When do dwarf irises bloom?
Iris reticulata or dwarf irises are much smaller than bearded irises, as their name suggests. They are bulbous plants that do best in well-drained soil. They flower the earliest of all the irises, adding color to the garden in late winter.
A well-known type is Harmony, which has bright blue petals with yellow spots and grows to about 6in tall. They are perfect for early spring containers.
Iris reticulata Harmony( credit: Botany vision / Alamy Stock Photo)
How long do irises flower for?
A lot of the time, plants only flower for a few days or not for very long, says John Negus of Amateur Gardening magazine. It depends upon the variety and vigor. When blooms fade and curl, remove them to maintain the plant’s appeal. Leave the foliage to die back naturally, though.
As we already said, some bearded irises will put on a second show in the summer or even fall if the weather is right. You can help them do this by cutting off the spent flowers. Concertina, which you can find at Nature Hills, is a pastel pink with bright orange and blue-purple tones. Sea Double, from Burpee, is a light purple-blue color.
Another option is Immortality, thought to be one of the most reliable rebloomers. Its petals are pure white with very pale yellow edges, and it smells sweet. It would look great in a white garden.
When Do Irises Bloom A Seasonal Flower Guide
FAQ
What month do iris bloom?
When should I buy irises?
Are irises in season right now?
When do irises flower?
The majority of irises flower from mid-spring onwards. Some irises, like the Algerian Iris, flower in the middle of winter. Others, like the Negev Iris, flower when it rains.
Do irises bloom in the summer?
Midseason and late-flowering irises should be your main focus. During the summer, the more your plants will live on. You might not want to choose late Tall Bearded Iris varieties that would not be able to bloom well in the sun or high humidity of early summer. Instead, focus on early and middle-season irises.
When should I plant Irises?
Plant Iris in early spring, when the soil is moist and the temperature is above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Irises can also be transplanted in late summer after they’ve finished flowering and have set seed. Be sure to provide enough light and water to ensure good germination. Iris is not a flower that blooms all year round.
Does an Iris bloom twice?
Most Iris species have a single blooming cycle from spring to summer. However, the bearded Iris group of plants and hybrids can be encouraged to bloom twice. When Do Iris bloom? A Seasonal Flower Guide – Gardening Dream
When do Louisiana irises Bloom?
Louisiana irises bloom in early to mid-summer. The best Zones for growing Louisiana irises are 4–10. As with most irises, Dutch iris flowers also have three upright and three cascading petals. This colorful hybrid species is popular as a florist flower, though it has no fragrance. It is also adaptable to different types of soil in the garden.
When do bearded irises flower?
Bearded irises are so-called because they have soft hairs along the center of their falls. The hairs on crested types, like the Siberian iris, form a comb or ridge instead. Most irises flower from late spring to early summer. Some—mostly bearded hybrids—are remontant, meaning they may flower again later in the summer.