Easy Tips For Growing Beautiful Purple Iris

Would you like to add a pop of vibrant color to your garden? Let me share a few essential tips for growing purple iris!

Looking to add a vibrant pop of color to your garden?  Why not add purple iris?  Planting and growing these beautiful flowers isn’t really difficult but there are a few things to keep in mind!

By simply following a few tips for growing purple iris, you can have beautifully blooming iris year after year!

Location, Location , Location

Think of your garden like real estate!  To be a successful gardener, it is important to choose the right location based on your particular plants needs.  Purple iris prefer a location that has well-drained soil. Like many other plants, they don’t like to have their feet (or roots, in this case) wet so avoid areas that have standing water.  Their roots like to spread so avoid heavy clay soil as well! They don’t like cramped quarter either so plant them in an area will they will have room to spread!

They are less picky about their light requirements!  They will grow in areas that receive full sun, part sun and even partial shade!  As long as they get at least 6 hours of direct sun per day, they will be happy!

Let’s Talk Dirt!

Let’s talk a bit more about the soil.  Poor soil quality can affect how your iris grow.  Before planting your purple iris, it’s important to prepare the soil properly.   Preparing the soil includes removing any weeds and debris from the area. Soil preparation also includes loosening the soil as well as checking to be sure the soil drains properly.  Hard soil or soil that lacks proper drainage can lead to root rot and other plant problems.

After loosening the soil to a depth of about 12 inches, compost or other organic matter can be added to the soil.   Be sure to thoroughly mix the compost or organic matter into the soil before planting your bulbs.  Amending the soil with compost will help ensure the bulbs have the necessary nutrients to grow properly.

Another step you can take is to test the pH level of the soil.  The pH level should fall into the range of  6.0-7.5 for iris plants. For more information about checking the pH of your soil, please see this article: Do It Yourself Soil Testing

Taking the time to properly prepare your soil will help ensure your iris bulbs have the best possible growing conditions.

When Should I Plant Iris Bulbs?

Bearded Iris are hardy in zones 3 thru 9.  If you aren’t sure what growing zone you live in, it is easy to find out by referring to a zone map.  The USDA has divided the country in various zone depending on certain growing condition.  More information can be found here: Plant Hardiness Zone Map

Iris bulbs are normally planted in the late summer or early fall.   Planting the bulbs at this time allows the plants to establish their roots before winter.   Gardeners living in a warner climate may be able to plant iris bulbs in the early spring.  Regardless of where you live, be sure to plant the bulbs on a day when the soil is moist but not waterlogged.  Moist soil will help the bulbs get established.

Avoid planting the bulbs too deep. If planted too deep, the bulbs may rot and not produce flowers.  The bulbs should be planted just below the surface of the soil, with the top of the bulb visible.  Simply dig a shallow hole, place the pointed end of the bulb facing up, cover with soil and water thoroughly.

Space the bulbs about a foot to a foot and a half apart.  This allows for proper air circulation.  Properly spaced bulbs won’t be competing for nutrients in the soil.

Let The Sun Shine!

Purple iris require at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.  Lack of sunlight can result in plants that don’t flower.  The plants may have weak stems.

If your garden is sunlight challenged, the good news is that iris bulbs can be planted in containers!  I haven’t tried this yet.  By planting the bulbs in containers, you can move the containers to an area that receives the proper amount of sunlight.

Water!!!!!

Regular watering is very important.  When watering the iris garden bed, be sure to water enough that the soil becomes saturated but not waterlogged.  This is known as watering deeply.  Frequency of watering can be reduced once the plants are established.  If the garden is not receiving enough rainfall, supplement the rain with additional watering.

When watering your iris plants, try to avoid getting water on the leaves.  Wet leaves can lead to various fungal diseases.  When watering, always direct the water to the base of the plant.  The use of a soaker hose or drip irrigation system makes watering a bit easier.  If you don’t have a soaker hose or irrigation system, aim the flow of the hose at the base of the plant.  In general, all garden plants should be watered at their base.

Feed Me, Please!

Plants get hungry, too! Iris bulbs can benefit from an application of  fertilizer that contains equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.  This should be applied in the early Spring, before the plants have started to bloom.  Once the plants have finished blooming, you can switch to a fertilizer that has a higher percentage of phosphorus.  More phosphorus helps encourage root growth.  No need to over feed your bulbs, one application in the early spring and one after the plants have finished blooming is sufficient.

It’s Getting Crowded in Here!

Iris bulbs need to be dug up and divided periodically, usually every three to four years.  Dividing is normally done in the late summer or early fall. Once the bulbs are divided, you can either start a new iris bed or share the bulbs with your friends.

Now That My Iris Are Blooming, What Can I Do With Them?

Purple iris are the perfect choice to use in a fresh floral arrangement!  They are beautiful on their own.

The stems can be combined with other flowers to make a mixed arrangement.

A few stems of purple iris in a mason jar make a stunning arrangement for a late spring wedding or outdoor event.  It is so easy to turn a simple mason jar into a hanging vase!  All the details can be found here: How to Make a Hanging Mason Jar

A bouquet of purple iris are a perfect gift for Mother’s Day!

Purple iris were one of my Mom’s favorite flowers!