Iris Flowering Bulbs

One of the most stunning blooms of the flowering bulbs category is the iris which is named after the Greek Goddess. These particular flowering bulbs are considered to be messengers of love and their mode of travel is the rainbow due to the fact that they are available in a vast array of colors. Their leaves resemble swords and the plant is beautiful even when the flowers are not blooming.

The iris is available in a bulb form and rhizome form. The rhizome form has thick stems and grows horizontally either partially or completely underground. After their sword-like leaves grow tall enough they will start to overlap each other and form a fan of beautiful green foliage. The three most popular rhizome irises are the Crested, Bearded, and Beardless. The bulb form of iris needs to go through a dormant period after they bloom and are a smaller version of the rhizomes.

The area of your garden for growing iris plants should be very roomy so the plants can grow and spread; they will also need six hours a day of sunlight. They can grow anywhere from 2 to 3 feet im height and over the years spread throughout the entire garden by way of their root system. For best results it is a good idea to leave roughly a foot around each iris plant for their growth.

Before planting iris bulbs you need to improve the soil conditions by the use of a low nitrogen slow release fertilizer. Using compost will enhance the organic matter of the soil. The fertilizer and the compost should be worked into the six inches or so of the soil completely. It is recommended that you should prepare the soil a few weeks ahead of the actual planting of the iris; this gives the fertilizer and organic time to spread through the soil.

The process of planting the iris starts with digging a shallow channel just deep enough for planting the rhizomes. These iris rhizomes are laid long side on the ground and the bulbous stem should face up. If you plant them too deep in the ground you could run the risk of root rot. Once you have placed the rhizomes in the ground place soil over the roots and press down firmly but gently with your hands so they stay in place. As far as the colors are concerned, some gardens look better if like colors are together and some gardens look better if contrasting colors are together. Remember to leave at least a foot between each one and the stems are facing the same direction.

Iris flowers care is not a difficult task. They can usually take care of themselves. During the early days of spring you can see beginning shoots. Their sword-shaped leaves come next and the flowers come last usually in late spring. Once the flowers have completed blooming, do not cut down the foliage. Leaving the foliage helps the plant develop further and create a strong root system for the next growing season. Once the third or fourth year rolls around your iris flower bed could become very crowded. You can start dividing the iris in latter part of summer and place in a new flower bed.

The iris flowering bulbs have roughly 200 species and are native to the North Temperate regions around the world. The habitat of the iris can vary from swamps to the deserts and from the far north to mild climates. The Siberian iris bulbs and bearded iris bulbs are some of the most popular that are grown. Because the word iris means rainbow you will find them in all colors such as the blues, purples, browns, black, whites, pinks, yellows, oranges, and of course the reds.