Algerian Iris: #8 Winter Flower of North Texas

Algerian Irises are a favorite of North Texans due to their striking colors. These beautiful flowers rank number eight for winter flowers in North Texas. Mixed in with red, orange, yellow and white flowers, these pale blue to dark purple flowers can grow up to nearly 30" high. It's no wonder they are so popular in this area of Texas. Unlike most winter flowers, irises only bloom during late winter to mid-Spring. Do not be surprised if yours start blooming as early as November.

Since Algerian irises sprout from bulbs, it is best to plant them during September and October. The best planting depth to protect them from frost is around six inches deep. Adding a layer of mulch will keep the ground warm enough for them. A thickness of four inches will be enough mulch to help the bulbs make it through the winter so that the bulbs will sprout and bloom. Algerian irises can be grown individually or in groups. Growing them in large pots will make them stand out much more.

Landscapers in North Texas usually plant Algerian irises in groups near some sort of greenery so that they are pronounced in color to those who are either walking or driving by the landscape. Very seldom are they planted on pots by landscapers. Any business growing these bulbous flowers will have them as a border along their walls. Ponds and other water effects are graced by these blue and purple flowers along their edges. Another way of planting them is to mix the colors in a pattern for later blooming to reveal the planned planting idea.

Homeowners in north Texas are much more creative in ways of planting Algerian irises. You can find them in hanging baskets, potted and set up in low branching trees, bordering fences along streets, and even in old halved rain barrels out by the street corner. There are many other ways they are displayed, but these are just a few ways that you may find them growing. Algerian irises typically grow up to 24" tall and should be spaced no closer than 9" to each other when planting. The soil should range from 6.1 to 7.8 on the Ph balance for them to grow well, and should never be dry. Oddly enough as this may seem the Algerian irises are very tolerant of lack of water here in North Texas gardens.

Since most places that sell Algerian irises in North Texas sell out of them so quickly due to their popularity, many homeowners order them out of catalogs or turn to the internet to find them. Hopefully you can find yours soon enough before they are all bought up. You will enjoy the beauty of these flowers too after you have planted them.

Sources:

http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/56639/

http://www.plantx.com/winter.htmhttp://extension.oregonstate.edu/yamhill/sites/default/files/Final_WaterWise_Plant_List-OSU.pdf