PDF Iris: Enchanting Spring Blooming Flowers
The Iris has a truly unique appearance and can add elegance and flair to almost any landscaping design. These lovely spring blooming flowers are well-loved by gardeners throughout the globe. Irises come in a variety of sizes and colors. These flowers can bloom from midwinter to the middle of summer depending on the variety of iris that you have planted.
There are several types of iris flowers which require care and conditions. Iris can grow from both bulbs or rhizomes. Rhizomes are stems that grow close to the surface of the soil.
Bearded Iris Flowers
photo credit: ✿ nicolas_gent ✿Bearded irises are perhaps the most well-known variety as the possess a characteristic tuft of petal at the base of the lower petals. These flowers perform best in planting zones 3 to 9. There are bearded iris varieties available that will flower from early to late spring in an array of colors. Examples of bearded iris flowers include:
- Iris Annabel Jane: This late spring iris produces a lovely purple flower.
- Iris Early Light: This type of iris blooms in mid spring with pretty cream colored iris flowers.
- Iris Sable: Sable will reach up to three feet tall and is a beautiful early summer blooming bearded iris flower.
Beardless Iris Flowers
Beardless irises are also commonly grown because they are available in striking colors and patterns that accent almost any landscape beautifully. These pretty flowers grow from rhizomes and perform well in planting zones 3 to 9. Like bearded varieties, these types of flowers will flower throughout the spring and early summer depending on variety. Examples of beardless iris flowers include:
- Iris setosa: These cute late spring blooming irises produce cute purple iris flowers.
- Iris Mary Barnard: This purple iris stays about twelve inches tall and blooms in the middle of winter.
- Water Iris: This beautiful beardless variety blooms in the early summer and produces pretty purple iris flowers.
Bulbous Iris Flowers
These iris flowers are grown from bulbs instead of rhizomes. These types of flowers will sometimes bloom as early as mid-winter. The bulbous irises perform well in planting zones 5 to 8. Examples of irises that can be grown from bulbs include:
- Iris danafordiae: These dwarf irises will only grow to about six inches tall and they tend to bloom in late winter, even if snow is still on the ground. These produce cute yellow irises.
- Iris histrioides: This is another dwarf iris that blooms slightly later and produces elegant blue iris flowers.
- Iris magnifica: For a taller iris grown from bulbs, select this variety that can grow up to two feet tall and will bloom in mid-spring.
There are many different varieties of irises and the care of these plants can be variable. It is best to consult your local nursery for a selection of iris flowers that will perform best in your location.