Information about Iris Bulbs

INFORMATION ABOUT IRIS BULBS...

Iris flowers grow from either rhizomes or bulbs. If you would like to read some more information about rhizomatous irises, go here. In this article we will be discussing bulbulous irises.

A great many people grow irises in their gardens, even if they are not really gardeners. The iris flower is one of the easiest to coax forward as all the coaxing it needs is to be planted in the ground and left to grow. Iris bulbs are half the family that is commonly known as iris or Iridaceae.

All bulb irises are beardless and will bloom from late winter through mid-summer.

Iris bulbs are split into three groups. There is:

Reticulata Group: This group of bulb irises have ?netted tunics? (a covering that looks like a net). This group will grow leaves first, bloom and then the leaves will continue to grow once the flowers have died back.

Juno Group: This group of bulb iris will produce flat leaves and large brightly colored flowers. This group has roots as well as a bulb.

Xiphium Group: This group has thinner leaves. Species native to Holland , Spain and England are in this group.

Bulb iris grows best in well-drained, neutral or slightly alkaline soil. They prefer full sun. The reticulata group of bulb irises is an excellent choice for indoor forcing.

Bulb irises can be propagated from seed or by taking bulb offshoots from the mother bulb and immediately replanting them.

Iris bulbs can be planted in either spring or fall.

Add a few of these beauties to your garden this year and you won't regret it.