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What to do in front and behind irises please?
Hi aym, I've been growing bearded iris for a few years.
A point to note is that the rhizome MUST get baked in the summer sun. So ideally they want to face south with nothing shading them, and the rhizome should be on the top of the soil.
I'm in a similar situation to you, having divided mine I've got some big areas with just iris, and lovely as they are when in flower I'd like to be able to plant something amongst them to continue the season with flowers.
Hope we get some suggestions..
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I have been thinking about the same thing now that I have moved to a garden where irises won’t be sat rotting in winter wet and I can grow a wide variety of colours and heights. So far, using google, I have found these articles which may be of interest to you two:-
https://schreinersirisgardens.wordpress.com/2012/08/13/ideal-companions-for-your-bearded-iris-beds/
http://balconygardenweb.com/iris-companion-plants-gardeners-guide-on-companion-plants-for-iris/ covers several types of iris
http://theamericanirissociety.blogspot.fr/2013/10/tall-bearded-iris-and-companion-plants.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/how-to-grow/how-to-grow-bearded-irises/ - warns against shading the rhizomes with other plants but still suggests good companions
http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/iris-companion-plants.htm
Hope that gives you some ideas.
You can save money by sowing from seed and that will give you plants to swap with friends or sell at a car boot to raise money for more.
Hi aym
I didn't take any pics this year, I think there are from 2014 or 2015
Having split them, I've now got 15-20 of each! - I'll need a bigger garden (it's 150ft long btw)
White City - better in real-life, it has just a hint of lavender with the white
Dusky Challenger - huge lustrous blooms that smell of chocolate!
Not one I ordered, but it came with the ones below - don't know the name, but it's lovely and scented.
Forgotten the name of this one too - Azure somethingortheother
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Wow! you don't hang about do you!
I've just had a weeding session and came across the label of the last one above - it's Yaquin Blue.
I also found lots of baby aquilegias amongst almost everything.
The divided iris look as if they're doing OK, so hoping for a good display next year and like you I'll plant some iris-friendly plants around them.
I'm not an iris expert I'm afraid aym. I know with bearded iris best time to divide them is about 6 weeks after flowering. I guess they're almost dormant now so I would think it's ok...
Last edited: 21 October 2016 18:31:58
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
G/house was delivered yesterday and being installed on monday.
Will hopefully post a pic on tuesday.
I've been leveling the 20 ton of topsoil to get it all fairly even and have spread 3000 litres horse doings over the raised beds. Once the g/h is in then the main picture will be complete and I'll get a better idea of what to plant in which areas and I'll be here endlessly asking about how to care for soft fruit and plant up and around my wildlife pond and what to plant in the raised veg beds.
I'm just sooo thankful the weather has been so good for so long. I'd never have got it done if we had the usual October storms
Ooops - that's probably gone and done it..
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
Yeah! - you should see the horse !
Billericay - Essex
Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.