Iris growing - how to choose, plant and grow irises

Top tips from experts Iris of Sissinghurst on how to buy and choose an iris and where to plant irises. Do irises need sun or will they grow in shade? Can you grow irises in pots? Do you get repeat flowering irises? And why won't my iris flower?

Iris care links:

2:20 Can irises grow in shade? Does an iris need full sun?
4:35 When should you plant irises?
5:30 Which plants grow well or go well with irises?
6:30 When should you divide irises?
7:30 How to care for irises in winter?
8:03 Do irises need staking?
8:34 Are irises poisonous to cats and dog?
9:08 Can you grow irises in pots
9:28 What pests & diseases do irises get?
9:56 Why isn't my iris flowering?

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[paultsworld]

The way I plant an iris is to make two parallel furrows just wider than the rhizome - place the rhizome on the surface of the soil between the furrows and tuck the side roots into the furrows. Cover the roots in their furrows. In this way you leave the rhizome sitting on the surface with roots nicely in the soil.

[kenjiro]

Iris are awesome, grow them here in Napa, California. They are planted in the ground and the soil is heavy, they take 30 degrees Fahrenheit winters and rains very well, growing in full sun. My mother plant now has about 6-10 bulbs together.

[beththurston]

Wonderful advice! I often have a year of minimal iris bloom and always thought it was due to my watering schedule. It never occurred to me to ensure that sunlight reach the rhizomes. I will be much more vigilant in the future!

[zubeennaushad]

So much wonderful advice. Your channel has been a revelation to me. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this.

[peterhuesmann]

About 30 years ago at the home we were living in at the time (Delaware USA), I ordered a variety of tall bearded irises from a couple companies out west (in the US) and planted them in the fall. The next year when they were growing and blooming we had an infestation of Iris borers which inhabited the flowering shoots causing these stems to the flowers to become yellowish and sticky and eventually collapse. I could dig them out(the borers) and crush them (very messy). Most of these irises did not do well in the long run because the borers eventually destroy the rhizome. We've lived in several homes since then and did not have a similar problem but now back in Delaware, some 10 plus years and retired, I noticed one of my iris plants to have this appearance again. I removed the stem but could not find the borer. I mention this because in your video you did not mention this as a problem. Note; I have some simple irises from my grandmothers yard dating back probably at least 100 years (still there-home is still in the family) and I have never seen this issue with this variety.

[MEANJEANU]

Stunning accident of your iris/poppy combination!
I love when that happens!

[ThomasAllen]

As an Iris guy, Iris go well with more Iris. and more Iris.

[slaturwinters]

I would humbly suggest to viewers in colder climates, I personally live in zone 6, USA and I have mine lightly covered with soil and a bit of mulch, to protect them from direct frost. 🙏🏼🌳 Happy gardening!

[maggiecudic]

Another informative video! For all the years I have had iris in my garden, I never knew it was the ribosome that’s needed the sunlight to flower!

[myboibill]

Thank you so much for the advice about the rhizomes needing sun. Over 40 years I had never read this. It explains why a certain Iris bed flowers poorly and it’s companions in other beds flower with abandon. Thank you again.

[carole-fx]

Hello Alexandra, I was just looking at our Iris this morning and disappointed that it is another year with hardly any blooms. I thought it might be because of the sun but have not moved them because they are from my Mom's house and I created a little memorial garden for her at my house after she passed but the garden faces East and they are also in the shade of the house next door for part of the time. But I see after watching your video that I will have to move them if I want them to bloom. I do think it's interesting that I see huge clumps of Iris places where I know that no one cares like an office building etc. but it must be that they are in the full sun and love their spot. Thank you for such an informative video and for showing us all the beautiful blooms. Have a great weekend.

[jeromegagnon]

You just gave me more work lol but most probably saved my irises. I’ve planted my irises too deep. I’ll have to remove some soil covering their rhizomes. Thanks again

[dianebarlow]

You look very beautiful in those colors and lighting. Thank you for the iris info.

[peterquinn]

Nicely done. I have many over here in the colonies.

[Neldidellavittoria]

Irises are my desert island plants. Lovely shots of your pretty dog.

[kenneyg]

This came just at the right time as I was watching the virtual Chelsea flower show today and thought I really would love to grow a few irises. I've never grown them before and can't wait. Thank you💕

[shivamraizada]

Heartly thanks for guiding regarding irir ...

[nativesedibles]

Great video! Easy, deer resistant, drought tolerant, and always plenty to share 😉

[chiefschicktx]

I grew up with irises in our yard. They're pretty common in the midwest and they're wonderful because there are so many different color varieties. I'd like to plant some shorter irises. I'm just deciding where.

[juanadennis]

Thank you for all the information on irises. My shorter ones are loaded with blooms right now. I will stake some of my tall varieties this year. I just thought there was something wrong with them if they couldn't hold the weight. I would cut them and enjoy inside.