Iris Dutch: planting and care in the open field. Bulbous irises, planting and care When to plant bulbous irises in spring

This flower is called the most romantic bulbous plant. It looks like a fabulous butterfly that accidentally sat down on a green stem and decided to soak up a little in the warm sunlight. This amazing flower is called iris. Today we decided to tell about it to lovers of garden flowers. Consider one of the types of this magnificent flower - Dutch bulbous iris: planting and care.

Secrets of growing Dutch bulbous irises

Iris (translated from Latin) is a rainbow. In Russia, lovers of these flowers affectionately call them "iris" or "cockerels". Since ancient times, essential oil has been extracted from the rhizomes of this flower, which had a pleasant aroma and was used in cosmetology and cooking.

Mostly irises are planted along garden paths and along the edges of flower beds, but we advise you not to dwell on stereotypes, let your imagination run wild

Iris differs from any other garden culture in its rich color. One of the types of these wonderful flowers - Dutch iris - perfectly tolerates the neighborhood with other inhabitants of the flower bed, without requiring individual care.

Here is an example of creating a simple flower bed with iris: 1 - Purple Voice hyacinth; 2 - tulip Flashpoint; 3 - daffodil New Baby; 4 - iris mesh Kantab; 5 - Scylla Siberian Alba

What you need to know about Dutch irises

The Dutch iris belongs to small-bulbous plants, that is, it propagates with the help of small bulbs.

Tip: Buy the bulbs in specialized stores, in packs of 3-5. The color of the material should be golden, free from dark spots, mildew and soft areas.

• These flowers are very sensitive to excess moisture. In their homeland, the bulbs, after flowering, are in dry soil all summer. In our country, on the other hand, there are often rainy seasons and wet soils. If not taken care of, the iris bulb can rot in the ground.
• Irises are dug up immediately after flowering.
• These flowers have a fairly short growing season. They bloom early and stop blooming in the second half of May or at the very beginning of the summer season.
• Irises love dry and light places.

Landing features

To get started, watch the landing video:

Irises are intended for growing in curbs and flower beds in well-lit, open areas.

It is better not to delay the planting of iris bulbs. While common bulbous flowers can be planted at the end of September, Dutch irises require planting at the beginning of August. Such an early planting for wintering is necessary, since the bulbs of these plants do not tolerate autumn cold snaps well in September - early October.

It is better to plant irises in front of the house, along the paths and in open flower beds, so that the flowers are constantly “in front of your eyes” and please their owners.

Planting irises in a basket for bulbous

To begin with, let's look at a method of planting bulbous irises in a special basket.

A basket for bulbs looks like this (its cost, as a rule, does not exceed 50 rubles). We put our basket on the ground and circle it with a shovel or other tools

We remove the sod along the contour that we made. Moreover, we should get a hole 12-14 centimeters deep.

It is advisable to apply fertilizers to the bottom of our pit, for example, superphosphate. Then set up the basket, pour the earth mixed with compost into it. Now we plant our bulbs

We carefully cover our bulbs with earth and wait for the emergence of these beautiful flowers.

Dutch Iris Planting: Walkthrough

Step # 1: Prepare the bulbs

Before planting, it is advisable to dip the bulbs or soak for half an hour in a solution of manganese or fungicide. This is necessary to stimulate the planting material and disinfect the bulbs. Old dried roots should be trimmed before processing.

Step # 2: Preparing the landing site

The soil for irises should not be oily and moist. If your beds have similar soil, you should raise the level of the flower garden by 10-15 cm using dry soil with compost and fertilizers.

While our bulbs are soaked, we have time to prepare the landing site. It is recommended to plant irises in bouquets. To do this, set aside round areas with a diameter of 30-40 cm. Dig up the earth with compost and mineral fertilizers. It is advisable to prepare the seats in advance, but it is not scary if the land is prepared during the planting process.

Note: since irises are dug up in May and, at the latest, at the beginning of June, their place of residence can be filled with other flowers that bloom all summer. For example, plant a velvet cloth that takes root very quickly.

Step number 3: plant the bulbs

We deepen the iris bulbs into the prepared and loosened soil. It is recommended to plant 3 bulbs deep. There should be 5-10 cm between the planting holes.

Tip: to enhance the decorative effect of an iris flower garden, you can plant several flowers in one circle. It turns out a beautiful multi-colored bouquet.

Step # 4: mulching

After burying the iris bulbs, it is necessary to mulch with fertile soil. We prepare the backfill mixture in advance from compost with mineral fertilizers (0.5 cups of fertilizers per meter plot). We make the backfill in a layer of 5-10 cm.

In addition to the Dutch varieties of irises, there are still a large number of them, for example, Siberian irises are distinguished by high frost resistance, therefore they are suitable for the northern regions.

Care of seedlings and blooming irises

• After planting, irises do not need to be watered, especially if the area is wet and there is often morning dew. If the summer is very dry, you can water the seedlings not too abundantly.
• When other flowers around you require more watering, cover the planting area with plastic or something else to prevent water from entering the wells.
• Fertilize irises before flowering for about a week, when future buds begin to form (seals appear between the leaves). We use mineral mixtures as fertilizer. It is beneficial to take ready-made dressings with calculated doses and instructions.

If you do not want to buy fertilizers in specialized stores, then you can easily make them yourself.

After flowering, the bulbs are dug up and must be stored in dry places until the autumn planting for the winter. If the winter chills are too harsh in your area, the bulbs should be well insulated or even stored in the sand on the balcony, basement, or refrigerator.

Iris is a very beautiful and original flower, so gardeners have long accepted it as a favorite of their flower beds. Known for over 2000 years, iris never ceases to inspire breeders to develop more and more new varieties. If at least once you decide to plant these flowers in your flower bed, you will forever fall in love with their delicate and exquisite bloom. Good luck!

One of the most beautiful and most romantic plants is the Dutch bulbous iris. Planting and caring for it is a bit of a hassle, but it will more than pay off with a beautiful blooming flower bed. Outwardly, it is somewhat reminiscent of a tropical butterfly, perched on a stalk, in order to rest and fly further around the world. Thanks to its beauty, iris instantly won over gardeners. Almost no flower bed can do without it.

Description and varieties

Let's take the Iris Hollandica as a basis.

To begin with, let's move away from the topic and mention that thermophilic irises have three main varieties:

Iris Dutch is a xyphyum, and belongs to the hybrid varieties of the Dutch category, bred in the country of the same name. In flower shops, they are sold in the form of bulbs covered with multiple layers of scales. In adult form, the plant height is on average 0.6 m, but it all depends on the variety. For example, the iris of the Dutch Blue Diamond, Casablanca, Blue Magic and others varies in height within the range of 0.45-0.7 m.

If you plant irises in places inaccessible to the wind, they will not need supports.

The plant itself is winter-hardy. Nevertheless, in severe frosts, they need to be covered with something in order to prevent freezing. Irises are widely used. They are not only used to decorate flower beds and flower beds, but are also grown under cut to create bouquets and flower arrangements.

The Dutch iris bloom (photo below) begins in the last week of May and lasts until early June. As for the range of shades of buds, they can be very diverse, ranging from white and blue to orange and purple. After flowering, the plant begins to dry out the foliage, and by the end of August it dries up completely.

Iris Dutch bulbous: planting

In principle, the planting of bulbous irises is identical to root irises. But still, there are a number of nuances that must be strictly followed:

1. The growing season of bulbous irises is rather short. Flowering occurs late, towards summer, and stops quickly. Therefore, it is important to choose the right material for planting. In this case, you should pay attention to the golden color of the bulbs, the absence of dark spots or soft areas. The development of the plant and its condition depend on the correct choice.
2. Before planting the flower bulb, it is imperative that it be immersed in a fungicide solution and kept there for several hours. This procedure protects it from rotting in the ground. After the matured onion is thoroughly dried.
3. Bulbous Dutch iris is being planted in spring.
4. The land in the flowerbed or in the place where the irises will be planted should be plowed in advance, and then disinfected with potassium permanganate (just watered.). This will help get rid of germs, bacteria that can harm the bulb and destroy the plant.
5. The bulbs are planted when roots begin to appear. At the same time, they are planted to a depth of 10-15 cm, keeping a distance between specimens of 15 cm. Such a distance will ensure good development and growth of the plant and will not allow shading each other in a group with each other.
6. The planted bulbs are sprinkled with soil and watered well.

Basic rules for caring for bulbous Dutch iris

In order for the plant to develop without complications and to please with flowering for a long time, a number of rules for caring for flowers should be observed.

Lighting

Irises are light-loving plants, so you need to choose dry and well-lit places for planting. But at the same time, they must be protected from direct sunlight. An ideal place for a partial shade flower bed with sufficient illumination.

The soil

As for the substrate, a nutritious and loose soil is important for irises. Moreover, its pH must be alkaline or neutral. If the indicators differ or a clay substrate predominates on the site, then the addition of sand will help to correct the situation, which prevents stagnation of water, as well as the introduction of slaked lime to adjust the pH to the required value.

Irises prefer loose soil, so loosening should be done regularly after planting. 1-2 times / week will be enough.

Watering

Since irises are very sensitive to waterlogging of the soil (this leads to decay of the roots and further death of the entire bulb), before planting, you need to take care of good drainage so that the water can "leave" and not accumulate at the planting site.

Russia is characterized by rainy seasons, therefore, after flowering, the bulbs are recommended to be dug up, dried and placed in a dry storage place.

Top dressing

Also, the plant does not tolerate exposure to any chemicals. Therefore, you need to be very careful with feeding. Better stop the choice on compost or humus, in the amount of 1 bucket / m 2. After planting the bulbs, the plants can be "fed" with wood ash.

Iris Dutch mix is ​​often sold in stores. Planting and caring for these bulbs is identical. Only the color of the buds will surprise you.

Now you know how and when to plant Dutch irises. Compliance with all the rules will allow you to grow plants of amazing beauty and enliven your site with bright colors.

Video about bulbous irises

What an iris bulb looks like

Botanical description

• White;
• yellow of varying intensity;
• different shades of purple;
• lilac;

How to plant bulbs

Flowering time

What to do next

Diseases and pests

Florist reviews

Dutch iris is a spectacular perennial that can be grown both outdoors and in pots in winter gardens and on window sills in apartments. But most often this flower, popularly called the iris, is grown in flower beds and ridges in gardens. Bulbs are usually planted in late August - early September. The plant has special requirements for soil composition, watering, humidity, air temperature and feeding.

1 Description and varieties

Iris Dutch or Xiphium (Xiphium) belongs to the genus Iris. It is a bulbous flowering plant with different peduncle sizes and stem heights ranging from 30 to 70 centimeters.

Most Dutch irises have blue or purple flowers. In the center there are "standing" petals that grow vertically, and the rest hang from them in different directions. A yellow or orange spot usually forms in the center of the bud.

Ksifium possesses high decorative qualities and retains its presentation for a long time. Cut flowers can keep buds for up to 2 weeks. To keep the plant in the vase longer, it is best to use soft, settled water.

The stem of the iris is straight, similar to a thin tube, the leaves are green, narrow-fluted. As the stem grows, they dry out and die off, and new ones appear in their place. Iris is grown from bottle-shaped bulbs. Under the conditions of correct distillation at home, you can get a bright flowering of the killer whale in January - February.

The Dutch iris of the Tiger-Mix variety looks especially impressive. It is grown as the dominant seasonal plant in flower beds or in single border plantings near the house, gazebo, alpine slides. The variety has an average height - 45-60 cm - and a bud size of about 6-8 cm. The plant is undemanding to the soil, blooms in May and pleases with lush purple-golden buds until the end of June.

Table of popular iris varieties:

There are varieties of Dutch iris, the buds of which combine several colors at once. To draw up the color of the future flower bed, it is best to buy xyphyum bulbs in nurseries or specialized stores.

How to grow and care for an iris flower on your own?

2 Landing in open ground

In order for the iris to delight with abundant flowering, its bulbs must be planted correctly and on time. The best time for this is late August or early September, when night temperatures are still quite comfortable.

Irises do not tolerate a cold snap, so in the northern regions they are planted at the end of summer, and in the southern regions - in the fall.

The flower is extremely picky about the soil. Despite the fact that it can grow on loamy soils, it is necessary to ensure good moisture and air permeability of the soil. To do this, lime and sand are added to it, and drainage is also organized from fragments of brick, expanded clay or pebbles. If the soil is too moist and heavy, it is mixed with peat and sand, thereby making the soil lighter.

Iris Dutch does not tolerate fertilizing with manure and chemical fertilizers. In order to make the soil more nutritious, it is recommended to use compost or humus. When digging a plot of 1 sq. m of land make 1 bucket of compost.

Before planting, iris bulbs should be prepared so that they overwinter well, do not rot and other diseases. To do this, they are soaked in a weak pink solution of manganese or fungicide for 5-6 hours, after which they are dried for a day, spreading out on cloth or paper in a ventilated place. The plot of land where the plants will bloom also needs to be disinfected with a solution of manganese or a fungicidal preparation.

Further actions:

• If the plant is planted in a flower bed, depressions are made in the form of pits; in a border planting, it is more convenient to plant bulbs in trenches 15-20 cm deep.
• Sand is poured at the bottom of the hole or trench, which will act as a "pillow" for absorbing and removing excess moisture; it should occupy 2/3 of the depression in height.
• The bulbs are buried in the sand at a distance of 10 cm from each other;
• The soil with plantings is watered abundantly.
• Sprinkle on top of the bulbs with sand and mulch with foliage, small pebbles, turf soil.

Mulching is necessary so that the bulbs do not freeze, they endure the winter without loss and give strong shoots with the onset of spring.

Most flower growers plant irises in the spring, after wintering the planting material in an apartment or cellar. Before planting, irises should be carefully inspected for damage, rot, and disease. Small areas damaged during the winter can be cut out with a sharp knife and disinfected by dipping the bulb into a manganese solution.

If the planting material has small green shoots, it should not be buried too deep in the ground. The shoot tip should remain on the soil surface.

All other rules for planting iris bulbs are exactly the same as for autumn planting, except that mulching is not required. The bulbs are simply sprinkled with earth and watered with settled water.

Planting and caring for a sleep-grass plant in the open field

3 Care

The earliest iris bloom occurs in early May. From this moment on, the plant will require some care and attention. Xyphyum has the highest requirements for soil moisture. Natural humidity in spring is quite high, so there is no need to water the irises additionally. Occasionally they moisten the soil only in conditions of too dry summer.

Iris Dutch does not tolerate spraying from a spray bottle. Moisture leaves red spots on its delicate petals, which spoil the decorative appearance of the plant.

Before flowering, when an unopened bud is formed on the stem, the flower can be fed. As a fertilizer, compost, rotted humus or ash, which are introduced into the soil next to the plant, are suitable. It is not recommended to use nitrogen fertilizers for irises. Accumulating in the soil, they provoke the growth of green mass to the detriment of flowering.

The plant needs regular loosening of the soil. This procedure will ensure sufficient air permeability and oxygen delivery to the roots of the bulb. Weeds should also be removed, which will take nutrients from the soil and interfere with the development of iris.

Brunner: types, varieties, planting and care in the open field

4 How to store bulbs in winter?

Irises fade at the beginning of summer, but you should not rush to dig them out. The green xiphoid leaves will blend in with other plants in the flower bed that are just starting to bloom. About a month after the buds have bloomed, the leaves will begin to dry out and gradually die off completely. At this time, the bulbs are dug out for storage.

Remove irises from the soil carefully so as not to damage them. It is likely that there will be "babies" next to the adult bulbs. They are separated from the mother plant and stored until next spring. After digging up, all planting material is placed in a ventilated place at a temperature not lower than +25 degrees for drying.

The dried bulbs are placed in one row in a cardboard box and removed to a dark room, where the air temperature is stable at + 15 + 20 degrees. So irises will be able to overwinter without any problems, and in the spring they can be obtained and used for growing in a flower bed.

For a summer resident, there is nothing more pleasant than the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the first spring flowers. Indeed, for many, they are harbingers of warmth, followed by summer. This is precisely one of the reasons why many gardeners grow irises on their plot.

Already in early May, at many dachas, you can see blooming irises, shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. And this is not surprising, given the variety of species of these ornamental plants. Thanks to this, each gardener has a unique opportunity to choose flowers of any color for his flower bed, so that they harmoniously complement other plants, creating a beautiful composition. However, in order to achieve such a wonderful decorative effect, every gardener should know the peculiarities of planting and caring for bulbous irises.

Soil preparation: drainage and feeding

Basically irises do not create any special problems in growing, however, they still have their own preferences, which the summer resident should not forget about, who decides to acquire these flowers on his site. It will be difficult for you to grow irises under the following conditions:

• waterlogged soil;
• mineral-poor soil;
• constant shadow.

So that excessive waterlogging does not cause you problems in the process of growing irises, it is recommended to place them on an artificially created slope. If in the selected area the groundwater is quite close to the surface and creates a danger for the roots, then a small elevation with a slope to the south and the manufacture of a drainage system would be a good solution. This can be done by raising the flower bed 20 cm and creating conditions for the natural drainage of rainwater.

Irises are light-loving plants, however, abundant lighting throughout the day is contraindicated for them, so it is best if they are in the shade for some time. This condition can be met if you choose a plot for the flower garden that will have partial shading. Before transplanting to the selected area of ​​the plant, organic fertilizers must be applied to the soil, and then carefully dig up and loosen the ground. If you want to fertilize the land with manure, then you need to apply it much earlier, about a year before planting.

Bulbous plants grow best on limestone soil. You can change its reaction to the required one if fertilizers such as lime, chalk or eggshells are added during digging. When preparing sandy soil for planting irises, it is recommended to add humus to it, which is also useful to supplement with ash or 40 gr. superphosphate per 1 sq. m... On clay soils, coarse sand, as well as a small amount of humus or compost, will not be superfluous.

Blue irises can grow in one place for no more than 10 years. For hybrid varieties, the maximum growing period is 5 years. Considering that irises tend to grow rather quickly, the problem of a lack of nutrients in the soil becomes urgent. This is precisely why you have to choose new places to grow these flowers from time to time.

Autumn is the time for planting bulbs

Planting agrotechnics may include certain features that may vary depending on the variety. In temperate climates, it is recommended to grow iridodictiums, Turkish and Caucasian, as well as their hybrids, which not only take root easily, but also perfectly withstand winter cold. They must be planted in a dry, open place, where they begin to prepare pits up to 7 cm deep. After transferring the bulbs to the holes, you need to make sure that the soil does not adhere tightly to them.

You can do it even easier if you fill them with a mixture containing a small amount of sand. Fungal diseases can seriously harm irises. Therefore, after purchasing, the bulbs must be treated with insecticides: for example, "Fundazol" or "Benlate". In summer, when the stems and leaves are dry, it is necessary to separate the daughter bulbs, which will be used as planting material.

Unlike other species, the Juno variety has rather large bulbs with a fleshy structure, which renew the roots every year. Therefore, when working with them, you must be very careful. Important avoid trauma to the roots otherwise it will lead to the death of the plant. It is recommended to plan a transplant of blue bulbous irises to a permanent place in the last week of September or in the first decade of October. To do this, it is necessary to transfer the bulbs as carefully as possible into the prepared pits, taking care not to damage the roots, and then sprinkle them with a layer of soil up to 6 cm thick.

In summer, the following operations are carried out with regard to the bulbs: when the plants show clear signs of wilting, the bulbs must be dug up and transferred to a drying room, where it is necessary to maintain a temperature of 22-25 degrees Celsius. But you can do otherwise - for this, a film is laid over the flower bed so that it does not get wet by the rain, and it is left in this state until the beginning of October. Subsequently, for the cultivation of the Juno variety, daughter bulbs or seeds are used, which are sown in special boxes. Moreover, the planting material in both cases must be pre-dried. When "Juno" is propagated by seeds, the first shoots appear in the second year.

When placing future plants, you can choose different intervals: however, flowers should not be planted closer than two bulbs wide. The maximum permissible distance between adjacent plants is 0.5 meters.

Using Plastic Grow Baskets

Many supermarkets now offer baskets that are great options for growing bulbs. The main plus is that they are simply removed from the ground, so together with the basket, the planted bulbs can be quickly and effortlessly transferred to the room for drying.

How to properly care for irises?

Planting and nursing outdoors involves more than just the right planting timing and soil preparation. Once the plants have taken root, they should be cared for during flowering. In early varieties, the first flowers form in May, and in later varieties, in June. First of all, bulbous irises need feeding and protection from pests. Equally important for flowers and watering. Naturally, irises are watered less frequently during the rainy season. More active irrigation is needed in dry years, and plants are watered in the evenings.

Application of mineral fertilizers

For feeding, you need to find the right time. In the spring, they do this after the snow has melted and the topsoil is completely dry. For dressing, you can use ready-made solutions and dry universal mixtures, for example, "Reasil" or "Good Power". To do this, you need to decompose the amount of fertilizers recommended by the instructions on the upper layer of the soil, after which it must be loosened. However, care must be taken to ensure that the roots are not damaged during this operation.

As a possible course of feeding for hybrid irises that are not the first year of flowering, you can suggest the following scheme consisting of three main stages:

• nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus (2: 3: 1) - in spring on dry soil;
• a similar composition, but here the ratio (3: 3: 1) is observed - at the time of bud formation;
• potassium, phosphorus (1: 1) - one month after the beginning of flowering.

If, during the care, fertilizing is carried out in a timely manner and in the correct doses, then in the spring the Dutch irises will demonstrate all their attractiveness, rapid growth and long flowering. The gardener should pay special attention to the moment when flower buds form in the flowers. If at this stage in the life of irises to carry out top dressing, then next year the flowers will delight the gardener with lush, full-fledged flowering.

You need to be especially careful using nitrogen... An overabundance of this element often becomes the cause of "fattening" - a process in which the leaves grow vigorously, as a result of which the plant does not have the strength to bloom.

Preventive work to protect against pests

Regardless of the fact that blue bulbous irises do not grow as long as we would like, in this case it is still necessary to carry out special protective measures. Various pests will help darken the joy of blooming irises. Therefore, in order to avoid their appearance, it is necessary to carry out planned treatment of plants.

Conclusion

If the gardener wants to admire the first flowers in the first weeks of spring, then he should pay attention to such a plant as bulbous irises. Having planted them on the site, the summer resident may be one of the first to know that the long-awaited warmth will come very soon. However, he will be able to enjoy the beauty of the bulbous irises only if he takes care of these flowers throughout the season. And for this, many questions will have to be resolved.

In addition to choosing a suitable site for planting irises, it is necessary fertilize the soil regularly, since it largely depends on them how abundant and long the flowering of these plants will be. Protection from pests is also an important measure, because these delicate flowers can become easy prey for many pests, including thrips.

Dutch bulb irises

The choice of plants for a flower bed has long ceased to be a problem - a huge amount of seeds, seedlings and bulbs are sold in stores, nurseries and markets. The main thing is to decide on the composition of the flower bed and choose the necessary palette. Every florist is like an artist. But the beauty is created not by wide strokes of oil paints, but by delicate flower buds.

Dutch iris can be a safe option for decorating large and small flower beds. It is a bulbous plant with large, beautiful flowers of an unusual shape.

What an iris bulb looks like

It is a perennial herb with an elongated bulb instead of a rhizome. The bulb itself is a modified and shortened underground shoot that resembles a bud. When cut vertically from top to bottom, a flower arrowhead embryo can be found in the middle of the bulb. Around it, like wrappers, are the rudiments of leaves. They are entrusted with the function of accumulating nutrients.

Axillary and central buds are located between the embryos of the leaves. The outer layer of the bulb is the integumentary scales. The diameter of the bulbs is not very large - it ranges from 2 to 3.5 cm.

Botanical description

More common for our gardeners are rhizome types of irises. These are the flowers that in childhood we called cockerels and killer whales. However, bulbous irises are no longer exotic either. The most common of these is Dutch iris. The scientific name for this flower is Xiphium. Despite the fact that xyphyum belongs to the Iris family and belongs to the Iris genus, it is recognized as a separate representative of the genus. Sometimes, by the way, this causes confusion in the special literature.

Iris Dutch bulbous, planting and caring for which are described in this article, produces flower stalks of different heights. A dwarf species can give a peduncle 30 cm high. An ordinary xyphyum reaches a height of 80 cm.

The plant has narrow-grooved leaves, and the flower has a complex structure. The bud has 3 external and 3 internal perianth lobes. The internal lobes are located vertically and have a narrow and broad lanceolate shape. The outer lobes are rounded and directed towards the bottom.

Usually on the outer perianth lobes there is a yellow or orange spot in the center. The Dutch iris bud has several color options and leaf widths. Moreover, it can be one-color or two-color.

The following color of the petals is possible:

• White;
• yellow of varying intensity;
• different shades of blue and light blue;
• different shades of purple;
• lilac;
• combined options for all of the listed colors.

Where are Dutch irises used?

Dutch iris is often planted in personal plots and garden beds. Landscape designers are actively promoting the look using it in mixborders and alpine slides. Bouquets are made of bright flowers, which are appropriate to give to men, especially bouquets of blue and purple colors. Low-growing bulbous irises can be grown as indoor plants.

It is worth noting that the cut flower of the bulbous Dutch iris will last much longer in the bouquet than the root varieties. It is especially good to use rainwater for the vase, since it does not contain chlorine.

How to choose soil for planting

When the Dutch iris is described, planting is presented to many as a daunting task. But it is not so. It is enough to have information about several nuances of this process.

One of them is the choice of soil for the plant. The main thing to know is that irises do not tolerate excess moisture. They quickly die from rotting of the bulb and roots. It is important to take care of drainage before planting. However, it is not necessary to place it directly under the plants. Shallow trenches filled with gravel or broken brick, dug along its entire length near the flower bed, have proven themselves well.

For those who are planning to plant Dutch bulbous iris for the first time, planting and care begins with the choice of soil. The ideal soil for this plant is loose, with high air permeability, nutritious, neutral or slightly alkaline. In addition, it must be permeable to water.

Sod and leafy soil is mixed into sandy and peaty ones, if necessary, the acidity is adjusted. Fresh manure and excessive doses of chemical fertilizers must not be used. The ideal option is well-matured compost or humus (there is a compost bucket per 1 m² of land). After application, the top dressing is thoroughly mixed with the soil. In the future, irises are fed with wood ash.

How to plant bulbs

Do you want Dutch bulbous iris to bloom under your window? Planting is done as follows:

1. A round peg (diameter about 5 cm) pierce the soil 15 cm deep. A distance of about 10 cm is maintained between the pits.
2. A handful of coarse river sand is poured into the hole, into which the bulb is buried by 1-2 cm.
3. From above, the onion is covered with the same sand.

After purchase, any bulbs should be treated with a fungicide solution and dried slightly. Before planting, no later than 2 days before, the flower bed or flowerpot is watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and potassium humate.

Slightly sprouted bulbs, with sprouts and roots, are planted in a trench. The depth can be from 15 to 20 cm. This helps to neatly position the roots and not damage them. In this case, the sand is filled up to about 2/3 of the trench height. From above, Dutch irises (bulbous species) are carefully squeezed with sand and covered with soil mixture. Then watering is performed. The soil can be mulched with sand, small pebbles, gravel.

Another convenient way to disembark

Dutch bulbous irises can be planted in a special basket. This is a plastic container with a lot of holes and holes for air intake and water outflow. It is inexpensive, you can find it in flower shops or order it on the World Wide Web.

Put the basket on the ground and circle it with a shovel, remove the sod along the contour and dig a hole about 15 cm deep, add the necessary fertilizers to it, then put the basket on top and pour loose earth mixed with compost into it. Further, the required number of bulbs is placed in the basket, which are covered with earth from above. At the end of flowering, the container is dug out, and all the bulbs are stored.

Flowering time

Flowering begins at the end of May. Depending on the variety, the difference in the time of appearance of flower stalks with buds is 2-3 weeks. If it is humid and cool outside, then the flowers delight up to three to four weeks. In dry, sunny weather, they fade faster.

If you choose varieties of bulbous irises with different flowering, then a chic flower bed will delight you even longer. And after that, juicy and beautiful foliage will remain, which can also serve as an ornament.

How to care for blooming Dutch iris

During flowering, Dutch iris is not very whimsical. It should be watered only in very dry summers. Usually xyphyum has enough natural moisture and morning dew. If neighboring plants require watering, then the irises are simply covered with a film, so that water does not fall into the holes. Bulbous irises do not need regular feeding. It is enough to feed with wood ash or a mineral mixture a week before flowering. The time is determined by the beginning of the formation of buds, they look like seals between the leaves of the plant.

What to do next

So, the buds have faded, the foliage of the xyphyum has completely dried up. What to do next? Does iris require Dutch maintenance after flowering? After the leaves of the plant have completely dried, the bulb should be dug out. What is nice, where the gardener planted one onion, there will be a small nest of them. Each bulb can be planted separately for the next year, or you can leave them nest for 3-4 years. If the gardener divided it, then next year only the largest bulbs will bloom, and the trifle will grow for several seasons, preparing for flowering.

The bulbs are dried and stored in a dry place until the beginning of Indian summer. Then they can be planted again in flower beds, but if the climate in the region is cold, then the planting should be covered for the winter. Thus, you can understand the color scale, flowering time and height of the peduncles, and form the perfect flower garden for the next year.

Diseases and pests

Iris dutch is damaged by borers. In this case, damaged leaves are cut off, and the plant is treated with insecticides. Be sure to dig up the ground in the fall and remove last year's foliage and cut off stems and branches of other plants.

Of the diseases, the most dangerous for irises are various forms of spotting.

Florist reviews

There are a lot of varieties of Dutch irises. As flower growers note, these plants have a very large flower. In the reviews, most people praise the Dutch iris, as it is unpretentious in maintenance and has a rather beautiful appearance. Such a plant takes root well in a temperate climatic zone.

All growers are unanimous that Dutch irises (planting and care have been described in this article) will adorn any garden plot or flower bed.

There is a decorative pond in the garden and you don't know how to revive it? Iris marsh to perfectly cope with the task. The people also call it pseudoair (Iris pseudacorus, translated from Latin) or yellow.

Botanical reference

The plant received its popular name due to its connection with ecology: the favorite growing places of iris are the banks of various reservoirs, as well as the armholes of rivers. The plant is at least 0.6 m long, and some specimens are capable of developing up to 2 m in height.

It is worth noting that the marsh iris (the photo of this handsome man is presented) has the properties of hydrohor. In simple terms, iris seeds spread through the water, because, once in the latter, they do not drown for a long time due to the presence of air-filled cavities between the seed itself and the peel and the non-wetting of the latter. It is assumed that waterfowl are also involved in the spread of the plant.

It is noteworthy that the marsh iris is represented by a single species and human activity does not interfere with its distribution at all. On the contrary, it only contributes to the "capture" of new lands.

Iris marsh: planting and care

The main advantage is the ease of care, which attracts gardeners even more.

Lighting

The plant prefers bright light, and it is not at all afraid of the direct rays of the sun. However, it can grow in places with partial shade.

The soil

To the soil iris marsh is also not picky, but the ideal is heavy soil, saturated with substances of organic origin and having an acidity below "7". At the same time, the plant will grow without problems in low-lying places, where a large amount of water accumulates.

Watering

Based on the foregoing, it is clear that when iris grows near water bodies, there is no need for irrigation. At the same time, if the planting was carried out in a regular substrate, iris should be regularly watered and the earthy coma should not be allowed to dry out. Particular attention should be paid to young animals.

Reproduction

There are no problems in reproduction either. Among the existing methods, seed and vegetative are distinguished.

The first is the simplest. It is enough just to collect the seeds and sow in the autumn in moist soil. Seedlings will appear in the spring.

Along with the ease, there is also the main drawback of the method - the flowering of the plant will not occur earlier than in 3-4 years.

For reproduction in the second way, it is enough to cut the "kids" from the rhizome. This can be done from the onset of spring to autumn.

But it is best to do this in the spring, when the plant starts growing.

In this case, two main rules must be observed:

1. When dividing the rhizome, the iris should not bloom.
2. The rhizome should also have buds or leaves. Moreover, the latter must be cut off before planting, leaving only 20-30 cm of the entire length.

Pests and diseases

As for pests, most often the plant is affected by gladiolus thrips, the favorite part of which is the leaves. True, in the 80s. there was a case of "attack" by the iridescent sawfly caterpillars. But the problem was quickly dealt with thanks to insecticides.

Decorativeness and design

Marsh iris is a dream for any gardener. In addition to ease of care, beauty, problem-free reproduction, the flower finds a worthy place in flower arrangements. It is used in:

1. Compositions featuring shrubs and trees.
2. Building green fences.
3. In flower beds next to perennial flowers.
4. Ecosystems are hand-built.
5. Also, the plant looks incomparable on the lawn separately from other flowers.

Iris marsh yellow is an ideal plant for arranging any water bodies. And given its versatility and survivability in arid conditions, excessive humidity, lack of a good drainage system, it is also irreplaceable.

Meet iris bog - video

Iris flowers are yellow, purple, snow-white and of all colors of the rainbow - frequent guests not only in the garden plots of amateur gardeners, but also in park beds or simple flower beds near the entrances of houses. They are loved for their long flowering, unpretentious care and bright colors.

The irises got their name due to the variety of colors of buds. The word "iris" in translation from Greek means "rainbow", and it lives up to its name.

Iris varieties

Among the 800 species, which are represented on the planet by 80 thousand varieties, there are snow-white, yellow irises and even deep black irises, as well as the entire spectrum of the rainbow.

According to legend, the Greek goddess of the rainbow Iris was the mediator between the gods (sky) and people (earth). Once the rainbow crumbled into many pieces, turning into beautiful flowers, which were named in her honor.

Since these flowers can interbreed independently with each other, there is still no strict classification of their varieties. They are divided into "bearded" species, which also include Arils and Arylbreds, and "non-bearded". "Bearded" are so named due to the fact that they have peculiar pubescent "beards" on the outside of the perianth.

Bearded irises are divided into groups:

• tall, for example iris tall yellow;
• medium-sized varieties are subdivided into small-flowered and medium-sized;
• dwarf irises are divided into standard and miniature;
• Aryls and Arylbreds are a separate group.

"Not bearded" irises are included in the classes of "Siberian", "Japanese", "Californian", "Louisiana" and other varieties.

Also, irises are divided according to the planting material. Some are planted with seeds or rhizomes, others are bulbous. The latter are more demanding to plant and maintain and are less common.

Iris marsh

Marsh yellow iris is a frequent visitor on the shores of water bodies. The wild species is characterized by reproduction by seeds, which have a protection in the form of a dense peel, which prevents them from "drowning" in water. Once in the river, the seeds are carried away by the current over considerable distances, which expands the sowing zone.

The same distribution is obtained with the help of waterfowl, which transfer seeds to new places in the river, where they germinate beautifully. In the same way, wild yellow iris grew and multiplied during the time of the Ancient World, as evidenced by a Cretan fresco dating from the second millennium BC. NS. It depicts a young man surrounded by irises.

Cultivated iris yellow is propagated by a rhizome, which is divided into parts, each of which has buds. When choosing a planting material, it is the condition of the roots and their age that plays a major role, therefore, it is better for a novice florist to use the services of a company store or a garden nursery, and not buy hand-held deeds.

Very often, yellow iris (photo is proof of this) is used to refine curbs and fences.

Choosing a place for planting irises

Swamp irises take root well in places where there is high humidity. If there are flooded areas on the site, then they are best suited for this type of flowers. They calmly perceive both the shady side and the sunny.

The main thing that should be done is to protect them from drafts and water them regularly during dry summers. If there is a reservoir on the garden plot, then yellow irises (both "bearded" and marsh varieties) are preferable to plant around it.

"Bearded" irises fade in the sun, and their flowering period is significantly reduced. The ideal place for them will be either partial shade, or part of the day in the sun, and part in the shade. A constant shadow is contraindicated for them, since they will not give color, and only leaves will grow.

Soil preparation

The huge variety of iris varieties requires a specific approach to soil preparation before planting. Since these flowers can without harm to themselves "live" in the same place for 10 or more years, the soil should be prepared in advance.

For example, bearded yellow irises "like" loose loamy or sandy loam soil. It is important that it is either slightly acidic or neutral. The structure of the land can be changed by adding sand, peat or ash to it.

Iris categorically "does not recognize" acidic soil, so it should be treated with lime before planting. In the event that summer is most often rainy, it is necessary to put drainage in each hole. No matter how unpretentious the irises are, all of them, except for the marsh species, have a common common problem - root decay. Drainage will save them from this.

The choice of planting material

Another important point for obtaining a beautiful "iris" flower garden is a good planting material. Large, beautiful, but old root should not be purchased as it will not sprout. Such a flower bed will not "live" long.

The best planting material is one-year-old cuttings with a rhizome up to 10 cm, with a bud and a "fan" of leaves. Such a seedling will give the first, albeit still a weak color, the next year. The present period of adolescence begins in the third year of growth.

If the division of this year and without a "heel", then it will give the first color only in the summer. In the future, as the irises grow, the planting material can be taken directly from your flower bed.

Separation of the planting material from the parent root

The time and method of planting irises also depends on the variety of flowers. For example, iris is yellow. Planting and caring for bulbous species occurs according to the same technology, and for those that reproduce by rhizomes, according to a completely different technology.

After the irises have faded, a bud begins to ripen, which will become a flower next year. The best time for the reproduction of this plant is the period when the bud has not yet set, and new shoots have grown at the rhizome.

A new annual element with root rudiments is carefully separated from the main root, without digging out the plant itself, and is transplanted to a new place. Intensive growth of new roots begins in a week, and by the time the flower bud reaches the ovary stage, the plant is already fully rooted.

It is important to remember that the leaves of a young cut before planting should be shortened by 1/3 of the length.

Such a transplant is carried out in the summer. If you carry out the same procedure in the fall, then you should wait until the flower bud has formed up to 6 cm in length, and the roots have grown enough.

An autumn transplant will give a new color as early as next spring, provided that the time is right. In this case, the possibility of early frosts should be taken into account, therefore, the moment of bud formation and the plant's readiness for reproduction should coincide with the still rather warm weather.

Planting yellow irises with rhizome

Yellow irises require adherence to some rules during planting:

• the distance between plants depends on their growth, if it reaches 80 cm in an adult iris, then there should be 40 cm between the seedlings;
• for dwarf varieties that grow in height up to only 40 cm, the gap is 15-20 cm;
• the depth of the hole is determined by the type of plant - in the "bearded" varieties, only the roots are buried in the soil, and the rhizome itself remains at the soil level;
• in "beardless" varieties, a mound is made in the planting hole, on which the rhizome is placed and sprinkled with earth, the hole itself is only a few centimeters deep;

• the leaves of the yellow iris should "stand" upright, and the ground around the delenka should be slightly tamped;
• immediately after planting, the plant is watered, and repeated watering is carried out after 5 days.

It is important to remember that if it is hot days, then young sprouts should be shaded by pulling fabric on pegs or sticking branches around them.

Planting yellow bulbous irises

The yellow bulbous iris is a rather unpretentious plant; it can often be found in the courtyards of multi-storey buildings and in city parks. Its main requirement is the absence of low temperatures in winter.

Iris bulbs have a scaly structure. They quickly react to the manifestation of the first warmth and emerge in unison from the ground as soon as the snow begins to melt. People call this species iris snowdrops.

Bulbous iris yellow (photo confirms this) usually grows up to 60 cm, loves moist soil and partial shade. In colder climates, it needs shelter for the winter, since the optimum temperature for the "survival" of the bulbs is -6 degrees.

If the climate is mild enough, then the depth of the planting pits should be 10 cm, and in colder regions - 15 cm. If the yellow irises are broad-leaved, then no more than 12-15 bulbs are planted per 1 m2. For narrow-leaved varieties, a dense planting is permissible.

The best time to plant iris bulbs is the last decade of October. It is not recommended to plant earlier, as new seedlings may appear just before the onset of frost, which will destroy them.

If you can't plant the bulbs on time, it's best to put them in storage in a cellar or refrigerator. In the spring, the stored planting material can be planted in pots, and at the end of October it can be safely transplanted into open ground.

Bulbous varieties of irises require periodic loosening of the soil and timely watering. Under no circumstances should they be filled with water. This is fraught with plant decay.

Iris care

Irises are quite "docile" plants, but since they are perennial, some work on the flowerbed should be done regularly:

• watering is carried out as needed, especially if the summer is dry;
• loosening the soil (very carefully) is carried out after each rain;
• weeding is done manually;
• faded flowers should be cut to the very base;
• young rhizomes, as well as hybrid and bulbous varieties are recommended to "cover" for the winter with foliage or spruce branches;
• after 3-4 years, irises must be planted, otherwise their massive soil cover depletes it, and gradually they degenerate.

When dealing with root yellow irises, it should be remembered that they grow on the surface of the soil, so loosening with a hoe should be carried out as carefully as possible. The same goes for weeding, which should preferably be done manually.

After the thaw, the foliage or spruce branches are carefully removed, and the soil is loosened. Root cover only applies to young seedlings and bulbous varieties.

Top dressing of irises

The first fertilization is done immediately after the soil thaws and dries out. Mineral fertilizers are applied simultaneously with loosening, trying to lay them to a depth of 4-5 cm in the soil. This should be done very carefully.

The second feeding is carried out during the formation of new shoots with the laying of flower buds. New rhizomes fertilized at this time will give abundant flowering next spring.

If the soil is weak or medium loamy, then three times "feeding" with nitrogen and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is necessarily carried out at the rate of 10-12 g per 1 m2. For sandy soil, the dosage is increased to 16-18 g per 1 m2.

When using nitrogen, the main thing is not to "overfeed", so it is better to under-feed a little than to overdo it. When there is a lot of nitrogen, then yellow iris leaves grow, and either there will be no flowers at all, or they will be small and frail.

If you cover the flowers with peat for the winter, then you can solve two issues at once - warming and fertilizing the soil. In the spring, you need to gently loosen the soil around the roots after it is completely dry.

Diseases and pests

To avoid the appearance of pests, after the leaves reach 10 cm, irises should be sprayed every two weeks with special pesticides sold in specialized flower shops. After flowering begins, spraying stops.

You should also regularly check the rhizomes for rot. If one appears, then you need to carefully cut off the damaged area and burn it. Last year's foliage and wilted flowers should be burned to prevent disease.

Rare varieties

Rare, that is, less common, varieties include "Siberian" and "Japanese". The Japanese variety of these flowers is also called xiphoid, since they have wide, sword-like leaves. These plants are very fond of water, so the preferred place for planting them is water bodies. They also prefer well-lit places without direct sunlight.

Siberian irises are good for planting in regions with colder climates in well-fertilized soil.

Whatever the variety, it should be remembered that yellow iris is listed in the Red Book, so its cultivation contributes to the spread and survival of this species.

Swamp iris is the most common plant of the Iris family, which grows in all countries. It is noteworthy that this plant does not require special care. Swamp iris grows very quickly, reproduces independently and has the characteristics of a weed. It has high decorative qualities. The flower has an important function: it is a natural filter. It cleans stagnant water bodies from organic and inorganic contaminants.

The bog plant is widely used in medicine, food and cosmetic industries. The flower grows both in wetlands and shallow water, and in dry areas, but in this case it blooms very rarely.

Due to its external resemblance, the flower is very often confused with calamus, therefore the plant has another name - calamus iris or pseudo-calamus. For the first time, the similarity of plants was noted in his writings by the researcher and scientist Carl Linnaeus, who compiled a scientific description of the plant.

Popularly, this marsh flower is often called "yellow" or "yellow iris". Currently, many hybrid varieties have been bred with flowers in white, blue and lilac.

Description

Swamp iris is a perennial herb partially submerged in water. The part of the stem, which is constantly in the water, eventually degenerated into a rhizome, in which the accumulation of nutrients occurs.

The rhizome has a growing point. But due to its horizontal arrangement, the growth of the stem occurs sideways. Because of this location, the plant occupies large areas. On the rhizome, buds are formed, from which flowers and leaves are formed.

The rhizome has a large number of additional roots.

The leaves are xiphoid with parallel veins. The height of the leaves under favorable conditions can reach two meters.

The plant forms a long peduncle that looks like a stem.

The flower consists of six petals with a simple perianth. The petals are located in the outer and inner circle, three in each. After flowering, the fruit-box ripens, which opens, and the seeds are poured into the water. The seeds are kept afloat freely due to the existing air pockets.

Special properties of the plant

The calamus iris has many beneficial properties.

Care and cultivation

The calamus iris is more commonly known as a wild plant and therefore does not require special care.

Reproduction

The flower is propagated by dividing the rhizome and seeds.

When dividing the rhizome from the main plant, a piece is carefully separated and transplanted to a new place. In this way, the flower can be propagated throughout the growing season. It is advisable to transplant in the fall, so that it has time to take root and begin active growth in the spring.

During the period of division of the rhizome, the mother plant should not bloom. There should be buds or leaves on the rhizome.

Seed propagation is easy enough. Seed planting is carried out in the fall in the ground. In the spring, seeds give amicable shoots. The disadvantage of this method is that iris blooms only after three years.

The use of iris marsh in landscape design

Many landscape designers often use iris yellow to decorate their backyards. Due to its unpretentiousness and ease of care, iris can become part of almost any composition.

It is used to decorate flower beds together with other perennials, in combination with trees and shrubs, iris curtains, creating green fences, decorating the shores of artificial reservoirs and lakes.

The combination of different colors of iris flowers allows you to create unusual compositions along the banks of ponds and lakes.

Marsh iris grows well not only on swampy soil, but also in areas with a high level of groundwater or poor water flow.

Iris is a perennial plant that amazes with its variety of species and shades. Iris is found in almost any garden, park and flower bed, and all this thanks to its sophisticated appearance and rich bright colors. Well, what if we are talking about decorating a reservoir? And here, too, it will not do without iris. Marsh iris is a "favorite" of landscape designers, which takes pride of place among ornamental plants for decorating reservoirs. Today you will learn about all the intricacies of growing varieties outdoors. The following is a description of the plant, planting features, care, reviews, etc. (photographs are attached).

Iris marsh: description, characteristics of the plant

Swamp or, as it is sometimes called, false air iris is known to many gardeners as a magnificent plant, most often used to decorate various bodies of water, due to its love for moist soil and environment. But not everyone knows its amazing properties. So, marsh iris is able to qualitatively clean any body of water from suspended matter of both organic and inorganic origin. The rhizomes of this plant are widely used in cooking, medicine and even perfumery.

This iris variety is considered perennial and can reach a height of 2 m. Swamp iris is sometimes confused with calamus because of the leaves: they have the same wide xiphoid shape. The rhizome of the plant is creeping, has many small roots of a fibrous structure. There are several decorative varieties of marsh iris:

• Flore Pleno. The variety has fairly large double flowers.

Flore Pleno variety

• Umkirch. The variety is represented by a plant with pale pink flowers.
• Golden Queen. The variety is represented by a plant with bright yellow flowers.

Golden Queen variety

Under natural conditions, marsh iris can be found mainly in river floodplains, on the banks of various reservoirs, damp meadows, etc. The flowering of the plant usually begins by mid-summer (late June - early July).

Attention! Despite the fact that the plant loves extremely moist soil, it can grow successfully on dry soil. However, its flowering in this case will be very unlikely.

Swamp iris is widely used in landscape design as one of the main decorative elements for a reservoir; it is also used to create compositions of various types of flowers in wet, swampy areas. Swamp iris looks great in tandem with shallow plants (for example, host, fern, Siberian iris, etc.).

Features of growing in the open field

Iris are usually planted at the beginning of the growing season, before flowering begins (most often in early April). Reproduction of the plant is carried out by two methods: by seeds and by a vegetative method (division of the rhizome).

The place for planting the plant should be chosen in the most careful way: iris loves sunny areas well protected from the wind, but in the absence of enough sunny space, partial shade is also suitable.

Advice. When planting a plant, it is necessary to take into account one of its features: in the first year of life, the marsh iris can slightly shift to the side (by a few centimeters), so the planting scheme should not be ordinary, but fan-shaped.

Immediately before planting, it is necessary to add a potassium-phosphorus mixture and compost to the soil (in no case use manure). Do not forget to also treat the area with herbicides and fungicides without fail (this will help disinfect the soil).

Iris marsh

Before planting, the plant must be lowered into a container with prepared soil, and then buried in the ground in the area to a depth of about 30-40 cm. Then you must immediately water the area with water. The next watering should be done a few days after planting. In the future, do not water the iris until the soil is dry.

As for fertilizing, the plant does not really need nutrients, but at least once a year (in the spring), it is still necessary to carry them out. Otherwise, the iris will not bloom so luxuriantly and beautifully. Compound fertilizers with a sufficient content of phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen are best suited for feeding marsh iris.

Due to a certain specificity of the iris root system (horizontal location of the rhizome) in the cold season, it can be almost completely bare, therefore it is necessary to provide it with protection in the form of an additional peat-soil layer. In the spring, this layer must be carefully removed and distributed around the bush.

This concludes the consideration of the features of growing marsh iris. Happy growing!

Iris marsh: video

Near my house, along the path, not only garden irises grow, but also bulbous irises. Beautiful flowers, rich bright colors. These plants decorate not only a personal plot, but also look wonderful in a flower arrangement at home, in a vase.

Many people ask me what varieties exist and how they are called. I am happy to share information with you, especially since irises can be planted in the fall.

Russian scientists do not distinguish bulbous irises from the genus Iris into a separate species, but nevertheless they come to us from Holland as an independent group of plants.

Recently, they are popular because they have many varieties and species that surprise with a variety of colors and resemble exotic butterflies in our flower garden.

Despite the whimsical and festive palette of colors, all bulbous irises have a common flower structure: the three outer petals of the cup are bent to the sides, and the three inner petals rise upward, forming a kind of vault.

There are over 800 species of these plants, but the general planting rules are the same for all:

• Irises love sunny places in the flower bed and a little shade.
• Moderately moist soil, rich in minerals and organic matter.
• For the winter, these plants are covered with a layer of peat, spruce branches and leaves. In the spring, the shelter is removed. The bulbs can be scooped up and stored in a cold room.
• Planting the bulbs is desirable at a depth equal to three bulbs in height. The distance between the plants is 10 - 15 cm. Although the irises then grow, thanks to the little children, and form "spots" on the area of ​​the flower bed. So they look much more beautiful and effective.

Classification of varieties

In foreign sources, the division into groups and types is slightly different from the domestic one. Our bulbous irises are divided into 3 main groups:

1. Iridodictium or Iris reticulated.
2. Xyphyum.
3. Irises of Juno.

These species differ in the external and internal structure of stems, leaves and root system. Let's consider each species and its main varieties separately.

Iridodictium

A perennial, cold-resistant plant that hibernates even with a small shelter. For a long time it was ranked among the main genus of Irises, although instead of rhizomes, as in garden plants, it has a bulb.

It is an early spring single flower that blooms a few weeks after the snow melts. Depending on the variety, it has a completely different color ("dictum" - mesh, "iris" - rainbow). Some of the varieties have a pleasant aroma.

Iris reticulated Harmony

It is much lower and smaller than the garden iris. Height - only 10 - 15 cm. Flowering time - approximately 2 weeks in April - May, if we take regions with a temperate climate. Three perianths are lowered down, and they usually have contrasting stripes or spots, and the upper ones rush up. Amazing bright blue flowers 8 cm in diameter.

Plants should be planted at a distance of 20 - 30 cm from each other. It blooms once and has many inflorescences. Leaves develop together with flowers and have a narrow-grooved tetrahedral shape. Loves the sun and loose, calcareous or neutral soil. Drainage is used.

Alida

Bright blue inflorescences stretch up to 20 cm in height. The planting period starts in September and ends in November. A scaled bulb with a diameter of 1.5 - 2.5 cm is planted no deeper than 10 cm.

The plant is winter-hardy and unpretentious, has a pleasant delicate aroma. Suitable for growing in a flower pot. It begins to bloom very early - in early February, flowering ends in April.

Katherine Hodgkin

It has a very interesting color: the upper flowers are delicately lilac, almost blue, and the lower ones resemble the feather of an exotic bird - against a lilac background, purple strokes and a yellow spot in the middle. One of the most beautiful and popular varieties.

The plant is low - only 15 cm in length, flowers with a diameter of 6 - 8 cm. This variety sits at a depth of 10 -15 cm in September or early October. Blooms not as early as the rest - in late May, early June. The soil is preferably neutral or slightly acidic. These flowers are used in floral arrangements for men.

The plant divides and sows about once every 5 years. More often this should not be done, because it is necessary to allow the onions - children to develop.

Iris Dunford (I. danfordiae)

This is a native of Turkey. The main flowering begins in March or early April. An amazing feature is that the flowers bloom before the leaves grow on the stem.

The flowers are bright yellow with small greenish blotches near the perianth. The inner sheets are slightly shortened. In the first year, the plant blooms, then it does not bloom anymore, and the leaves begin to develop poorly. This is due to the fact that the bulb is divided into many babies who do not have time to develop correctly and on time.

Suitable for alpine slides, slopes or for foreground flower beds in front of taller plants. Since they begin to bloom very early, they will be appropriate anywhere in the flower garden, like the first spring flowers.

Pauline

The homeland of this variety is the Netherlands. Plant height 10 - 15 cm. The leaves are green, the stem is quite strong. Purple flowers with a diameter of 5 - 10 cm. The flower loves moderately moist soil, well-lit places. The bulb must be planted at least 5 cm deep.

There are also popular varieties of iridodictium that can be grown with pleasure in a flower bed:

• Cantab.
• Clarette.
• Royal Blue.
• Wetworth.
• Joyce.
• Purple Gem.

Important: be sure to dig up the bulbs of this species after flowering in order to avoid such a disease as "ink spot". The main signs are yellowing and lodging of the leaf.

Xyphyum

Plants of this group are summer-flowering, they do not differ in their endurance, in contrast to reticulated irises. They love the sun very much. Their height is no more than 50 - 60 cm. For the winter, the bulbs are dug up, dried and hidden in a cold, dark place.

The bulbs are planted to a depth of 10 - 12 cm, the distance between the plants is the same. The bulbs are distinguished by 3 - 5 lobes with a scaly film, which are not spliced ​​together.

Previously, this species was grown as indoor decorative flowers. Nowadays, it is a popular crop grown for flower arrangements. They bloom in different periods of summer:

1. End of May and beginning of June - Dutch varieties.
2. June - July - English.
3. July - Spanish.

Let's consider the main varieties of each of the types.

Symphony

Dutch irises are distinguished by their wide petals and delicate coloration. This variety is one of the first to bloom. In general, these plants are very fond of florists. After flowering, the foliage begins to wither, and gradually the whole plant dries up.

Before planting, the Dutch iris bulb should be soaked in a fungicide solution and then dried. This will keep the roots from rotting.

The Dutch type of irises is added by Ideal, Wedgwood, White Excelsior.

Frans Halls

This variety belongs to the English irises. They differ in the structure of the flower - the petals are flatter. Bloom in June - July. The number of flowers on the stem is 2 - 3, about 7 cm in diameter. The colors are very different: yellow, white, purple, blue.

For the winter, it should be covered with peat and spruce branches. They grow in places well lit by the sun and protected from winds and drafts.

English irises also include Iris Latifolia Yellow Queen. Some of the varieties bloom a second time in September. Looks beautiful in bouquets. They retain their fresh appearance for a long time - about 7 days, until all the inflorescences have faded.

Next are the Spanish irises, whose homeland is the Mediterranean, Spain, the original species is xyphyum ordinary. Flowering is usually limited to one medium-sized flower. The southern regions are more suitable for this species. For the northern ones, broad-leaved xyphyums are recommended.

The Spanish varieties have narrow petals with pointed tips and graceful shapes. Bloom later than everyone else, in July. The composition of the soil provides for the required amount of lime. Drainage is required.

Video about the rules for planting bulbous irises:

Bulbous irises of Juno

One of the rarest species grown in central Russia. More than 50 varieties are currently known.

• One of the first to bloom, in the middle of spring. The flower consists of horizontally arranged inner lobes.
• The bulb resembles xyphyum, only thick roots are preserved during the dormant period, which begins at the end of June. They are dug up, dried thoroughly and hidden in a cool, dark place.
• The leaves are sickle-shaped and grow in regular rows on a short, dense stem.
• There are usually several flowers on the stem.
• They are planted in September in open ground to a depth of no more than 5-7 cm. The distance between plants is at least 20-30 cm. They are covered with peat from above. And later, closer to winter, more spruce branches.
• The place for landing is chosen as the warmest and sunniest. The soil should be loose, humus and light, neutral.

A flower very delicate in structure and more complex in color. Looks great when grown separately and in community with other species or garden flowers. Better to land in front. Juno's irises are mostly annuals.

As you can see, there are a great many bulbous irises, and I want to believe that they will be more and more planted by flower growers and give joy with their luxurious flowers.

Irises are divided into rhizome and bulbous. Bulbous irises differ from rhizome irises in smaller flowers. And they are divided into three types: xyphium, iridodictium and juno. These plants are not very demanding to care for. But still, there are nuances that need to be observed.

Preparing the soil for planting

Bulbous irises are planted only in mineral-rich soil. It should not be waterlogged. And keep in mind that flowers do not tolerate being in the shade all the time.

Source: Depositphotos

The flowers are named after the rainbow goddess Iris.

1. Irises do not like waterlogging. If the groundwater gets too close to the soil surface, a drainage system is needed. To create it, you need to raise the flower bed by 20 cm and build an outflow of rainwater. By the way, to avoid this problem, flowers can be planted on an artificially created slope.
2. Despite the fact that the bulbous iris loves the sun, they also need shade. The flowerbed is best placed in a slightly shaded area.
3. The soil should be rich in organic fertilizers. To do this, a year before planting, you need to add manure to the soil. Irises take root in calcareous soil, so lime, chalk or eggshells must also be added to the ground. And flowers cannot stand heavy soil. So add sand to the soil to make it lighter.
4. Plants thrive in the same place for 10 years. Then the soil loses minerals, so it is better to change the place of growing flowers.

Planting bulbous irises in spring is carried out in several ways. They can be planted as bushes, in groups or singly. For bush and group planting, flowers with small buds are suitable, for single - with large ones.

How to plant bulbous iris

Bulbous iris is planted in open ground around the end of September and the beginning of October. When the soil is already prepared for planting, you need to loosen it and dig holes or grooves 5-7 cm deep. This is an approximate figure. In general, the depth of the pit is equal to three times the height of the bulb. So the figure will always be different. But the distance between flowers should be as large as 3-4 bulbs. Is always.

By the way, be sure to add some sand to the bottom of the hole. It will serve as a drain. After that, treat the bulbs with any antifungal agent, and then lower them into the soil carefully so that the roots are not damaged. From above you need to sprinkle the planting with soil mixed with sand. This is necessary for greater looseness.

Source: Depositphotos

Bulbous irises do not like waterlogged soil

Closer to winter, it will not be superfluous to cover the flower beds with irises with peat, dry fallen leaves or spruce branches.

Until the snow melts and the topsoil is completely dry, the flowers do not require any maintenance.

Bulb iris care

You can remove the shelter that protected the plantings from frost in winter in early spring. This is usually done when all the snow has melted and the ground has thawed.

It is necessary to water the bulbous irises in dry weather and during the period of active growth and flowering. But remember that irises don't like waterlogged soil, so don't flood the flowers. And by the way, after watering, be sure to loosen the soil so that a soil crust does not form. Stop watering after the plants have bloomed.

When the leaves turn yellow on the flowers, dig them up and store them. But before laying them you need to dry them thoroughly. This process usually takes 2 to 4 weeks. Iridodictiums and Juno must have a temperature of + 23 ... + 25 ° С, and xyphyums - + 30 ... + 35 ° С. At the same time, the air humidity should not exceed 60–80%.

By the end of the term, reduce the room temperature to + 15 ... + 17 ° С. And the humidity should be increased to 80%.

Top dressing

It is very important to feed the flowers correctly and in a timely manner if you want to decorate your garden.

There should be three top dressing per season:

1. Apply the first top dressing after removing the winter shelter. Mix nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers in a 2: 1: 1 ratio.
2. Feed the plantings a second time when budding occurs. A mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 3: 1: 2 is suitable.
3. The third and last dressing is needed after the irises have faded. Add phosphorus and potassium in a 1: 1 ratio.

Don't overdo it and stick to the dosage. Excess nitrogen and fertilizers, which include it, can especially negatively affect. The fact is that due to the excess of the component, "fattening" begins. This is a process during which the leaves develop gorgeous, but there is no flowering at all.

In general, regular and properly dosed feeding is a guarantee that the plant will be decorative. In addition, fertilizers help plantings develop quickly and bloom longer.

By the way, the process of flower bud formation is almost the main period in the life of plants. So top dressing during this time will ensure that the flowering will be lush.

Bulbous irises are not particularly capricious flowers, but pests love them. So spray the plantings with Malathion every two weeks. Usually, the treatment begins when the length of the leaves reaches 10 cm. And they stop when the buds begin to appear.

The cultivation of bulbous irises is somewhat different from simple rhizome species, which are much more common in flower beds. The peculiarities of the root system also dictate special rules for planting and leaving the bulbous irises. First of all, this is due to the fact that delicate bulbs require careful selection of the planting site. In addition, most varieties are extremely thermophilic, and are absolutely unable to survive outdoors in our winters. However, let's talk about everything in order.

When to plant?

The time for planting bulbs in open ground depends on the variety of irises, for example:

• compact and frost-resistant iridodictiums can be planted in autumn, but no later than September, so that the plants have time to take root and get stronger;
• less resistant types of Juno irises will also survive the autumn planting, but subject to additional shelter in warmer regions;
• sissies xyphyums () are best planted in the spring, because even at a temperature of 10 degrees below zero, the bulbs die.

When planting frost-resistant early flowering in spring, it should be borne in mind that there will be no flowering in the year of planting, but only for the next season.

Where to plant?

As you know, all bulbous crops (and irises are no exception) do not tolerate high humidity. Areas that suffer from flooding in spring are categorically unsuitable for these plants. With regard to the soil, the best option would be fertilized sandy soil, which is light and fertile enough.

To grow bulbous irises, you need to select the lightest flower bed - only in good light conditions will they bloom well.

Preparing and planting bulbs

For the purchase of planting material, it is best to contact a specialized store - there are less chances to buy diseased plants. To protect flowers from diseases, especially putrefactive infections and fungi, before planting, they must be kept in a solution of Fundazol or at least potassium permanganate for 30 minutes, and then let them dry completely.

A healthy iris bulb is firm to the touch, covered with a shiny golden skin and free of strange spots or damage.

The depth of the hole for the bulb should be no more than three diameters, and the distance between them should not be less than 10 cm.It is not necessary to water immediately, the available moisture in the soil will be enough for the irises, but the next day you need to moisten the soil well in the hole.

Care features

It is easy to care for bulbous irises: in the spring they need to be watered regularly, but by summer the frequency of watering should be reduced, because at this time most varieties are already resting. With the arrival of autumn, dig up the xyphyum bulbs, let them dry and put them in a cardboard box for winter storage. Most flower growers dig up all varieties of irises in the summer, and return them back to the garden in the fall (except for Dutch ones - they are stored until spring). This is especially true if it rains often, because then the irises can rot.

Video about the features of planting bulbous irises