How To Plant Pot Grown Bearded Irises
Bearded irises are a beautiful addition to any garden, and planting them in pots is an easy way to enjoy their blooms even if you don't have a lot of outdoor space. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a beginner, pot-grown bearded irises are a great choice. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of planting and caring for these stunning plants.
1. Choosing Your Pots
The first step in planting pot-grown bearded irises is choosing your pots. You want to select containers that are at least 12 inches deep and wide enough to comfortably accommodate the plant's root system. Terra-cotta pots are a great choice because they are porous and allow for good drainage.
Before planting, make sure your pots have drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from sitting in the soil and causing root rot.
2. Preparing Your Soil
Bearded irises prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. You can use a pre-mixed potting soil or create your own by combining equal parts peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite. Mix in a slow-release fertilizer to provide nutrients for your plants throughout the growing season.
Fill your pots with the prepared soil, leaving about an inch of space at the top to allow for watering.
3. Planting Your Irises
Remove your bearded iris from its original pot and gently loosen the roots. Place the plant in the center of your pot and add soil around the roots, pressing down lightly to remove any air pockets. The top of the rhizome (the thick stem-like structure) should be just above the soil level.
Water your newly planted iris thoroughly and place it in a sunny location. Bearded irises need at least six hours of sunlight per day to bloom.
4. Caring For Your Irises
Bearded irises are relatively low-maintenance plants, but they do require some care to thrive. Water your plants deeply once a week, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering. Fertilize your irises once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Deadhead your irises by removing spent blooms to encourage continued blooming. After the first hard frost in the fall, cut back the foliage to about three inches above the soil level. This will help prevent diseases and prepare your plants for winter.
5. Overwintering Your Irises
If you live in a colder climate, you may need to overwinter your pot-grown bearded irises indoors. Once the foliage has died back, move your pots to a cool, dark location like a basement or garage. Stop watering your plants and allow the soil to dry out completely.
In the spring, bring your pots back into a sunny location and resume watering. Your irises should start to grow again as soon as the weather warms up.
6. Dividing Your Irises
Every three to five years, you may need to divide your bearded irises to keep them healthy and blooming. Wait until after the foliage has died back in the fall, then carefully lift your plants out of their pots.
Divide the clumps of rhizomes using a sharp knife, making sure each piece has at least one healthy fan of leaves and a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions in fresh soil in new pots, or transplant them directly into your garden.
Bearded iris, pot-grown, planting, care, overwintering, dividing
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