Description of varieties of bearded iris, planting and care in the open field
A beautiful flower bed is a decoration of any garden plot. The correct selection of plants is half the battle. Summer residents should take a closer look at the bearded iris, an unpretentious, perennial plant that pleases with its flowers for a long time.
Characteristics and description of the bearded iris
The flower got its name because it has bristly outgrowths on bent petals. On some representatives, the outgrowths especially strongly resemble a beard.
The unpretentiousness of the plants allowed them to gain popularity among gardeners. When forming flower beds, gardeners use irises for the reason that they bloom in the interval between spring and autumn representatives, that is, in summer.
The rhizomes of this category of plants sometimes protrude outward. The root system is located shallow in the ground. The flower reproduces easily. It is enough to separate the rhizome and plant it in a new place.
Flowers grow quickly; in the garden, they are often planted in areas where the spread of weeds is undesirable.
The height of the plants depends on the growing conditions, it varies from 0.2 m to 1.2 m. The color range is different.
Popular varieties
There are many representatives of this category. Summer residents divide them into classes. It is based on the height of the flowers:
- high;
- miniature tall;
- interlude;
- curb;
- standard dwarfs;
- miniature dwarfs.
Everyone can choose the most suitable varieties for the conditions:
- Louise. Plant sizes over 1 m. The flower is purple, lilac or red-violet. There is a beard on the lower orange leaves.
- Crinoline. One of the tallest. Reaches 1.2 m in height. Inflorescences are maroon, the middle is white.
- Supreme. Flowers are one of the largest among bicolor flowers. The lower leaves are lacy, shade dark red, the upper leaves are yellow.
- Glamor Pence. The flowers are corrugated, the leaves are orange with gold and deep red.
- Cauliflower. The flowers are brown, often characterized as mustard. For this reason, the flower is becoming more popular every year.
- Flash Diva. The aroma is especially persistent. Iris inflorescences are highly corrugated. The peduncle grows up to 1 m. The shade of the petals is pink and cherry-purple.
- Decadence. It differs from others in a strong lace form of inflorescences. The peduncle reaches a length of 95 cm. The shade of the leaves is apricot and purple.
- Wabash. Peduncles are almost one meter high.The petals are white and lilac.
- Rimfire. Unusual large flowers are colored orange and red-yellow.
- Romantic Gentleman. Unusual aroma, persistent and sweet. The upper petals are pink-burgundy. And the lower ones consist of a transition from burgundy to dark pink.
A large number of iris varieties allow gardeners to choose the right option. When decorating a garden or flower bed, preference is given to certain types. Basically, they choose the height of an adult plant.
Planting rules
An important condition for successful cultivation is proper planting. A well-planted flower grows well, picks up color on time, blooms for a long time and abundantly. Cope with the landing is not difficult. You need to follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners, and a positive result will be a reward for your efforts.
Preparation of planting material
It is recommended to use annual plant growth. When replanting old iris bushes, do not try to plant all the rhizomes. Small ones will not give the same result as larger ones.
Large fans of a bearded iris should consist of 5-7 leaves, then they will bloom next year. The fewer leaves the transplanted rhizome has, the later they will bloom.
When dividing the bush, use a sharp knife or shovel. The iris is divided into several parts, the leaves are cut off, leaving a length of 15 cm. The cuts are sprinkled with wood ash.
Landing dates
It is recommended to transplant rhizomes in August when the plants have no flowers. Irises prepare for winter by collecting nutrients in the root system. In warmer regions, planting is done in the spring.
Irises are so unpretentious that transplanting is possible throughout the growing season. Plants are well accepted, bloom and thrive.
Choosing a place for growing
Flowers love lighted areas, preferably sheltered from the wind. The requirements for the soil are low, but the plants prefer loam. If necessary, river sand is added to the ground, it helps to better penetrate moisture.
The more sunlight, the more abundant the flowering.
It is advisable to organize drainage, bearded iris does not tolerate stagnant water. As a result, the roots begin to rot.
Landing technology
Growing in the open field involves a clear sequence when planting:
- Prepare a garden bed. The place is cleaned of plant residues, roots, weeds. Sand, humus, peat, compost and mineral fertilizers are added. Rake out and form rows.
- Pits. Small depressions are made, the roots of the iris are shallow in the ground. Small mounds are poured in the pits. Distance 30-50 cm, depending on which variety is grown.
- Landing. No need to bury the rhizomes. The backrest should be above the ground.
Many gardeners make a mistake on the last point, trying to bury the root as deep as possible. As a result, the bearded representative of the culture dies.
Features of care for bearded iris
Proper care is required after planting. The duration of flowering and the abundance of flowers on the bush depend on this.
Temperature regime
Irises are undemanding to the ambient temperature. Therefore, when growing, they do not attach much importance to this indicator.
Watering
Plants do not tolerate drought. During this period, abundant watering is required. Also, a bearded iris requires a lot of water immediately after transplanting. The rest of the time, watered as needed. Little by little and infrequently. Excess moisture leads to the death of the flower.
Plant feeding
Gardeners note some differences in fertilization during different growing seasons. It is necessary to take these features into account, then the plant will form strong shoots and will bloom for a long time.
In the spring
Top dressing with a high potassium content is used. They are brought under the root of the iris. This fertilizer will help plants to form large flowers and leaves.
Summer
After the irises have faded, they are watered with phosphorus fertilizers. During this period, the foundation is laid for the inflorescences for the next year.
In autumn
Complex potassium-phosphorus fertilizers will help prepare for winter, accumulate the substances necessary for flowers.
Pruning after flowering
When the plants fade and some leaves begin to dry out, pruning is carried out. It is rightfully considered sanitary, as it protects irises from diseases.
All dried leaves are cut off from plants, and those that have remained green are shortened by 1/3 or 1/2.
After the end of flowering, the peduncles are cut off.
How and when to transplant
Newbies in gardening are wondering if a bearded iris can be transplanted in September. It is advisable to do this after the plants have faded. The most suitable time is August. But in September it is not too late to do this.
The main thing is to do everything right, then the iris will quickly start and grow.
Preparing for winter
The rhizomes of plants are outside, therefore, by winter, they must be covered with a layer of soil or peat. In the spring it must be removed.
If necessary, special shelters will be organized for those types of iris that are afraid of severe frosts. Use a special covering material.
Pests, diseases and methods of dealing with them
Root rot is a common crop disease. Most often it actively progresses after a rainy and mildly frosty winter. Rainy summers, damp and cool weather are favorable conditions for the spread of the disease.
The rhizomes of the iris are dug up, the affected areas are cut off, and sprinkled with special agents that stop the infection. They keep it in the sun for some time, letting it dry, then again buried it in the ground.
Pests:
- deer beetle;
- iris fly;
- bronze.
Insects harm iris flowers. There are fewer of them, flowering is not so abundant. Summer residents practice preventive treatment in early spring. Use special chemicals.
Reproduction of irises
There are several known ways to increase the number of flowers on the site, the most common:
- dividing the bush;
- kidneys;
- seeds.
The first method is the simplest, fastest and most common. An iris bush is dug up, divided into parts with a sharp knife, slices are processed, planted separately.
The second way is more complicated. One-year-old shoots are taken. They find tubercles, these are spare axillary buds. The roots are divided into parts with such buds. Cuts are processed, planted in the ground.
Planting with bearded iris seeds requires preliminary preparation. The planting material is mixed with sand and refrigerated for 2 weeks. Then they are kept warm for 2 weeks and then planted in the ground.
Possible growing problems
Common problems when growing bearded iris are:
- Lack of flowering. The reasons are different, the roots of the plant are buried, during the winter the buds freeze out, there is little sunlight, the rhizomes grow strongly.
- A small amount of leaves in 1 fan. The reason is developing rot, violation of planting or care technology.
Other problems also arise, but they are not permanent, occurring only in isolated cases.
Every gardener can grow a bearded iris in the garden. The flower is unpretentious, undemanding. Carrying out standard agricultural techniques, they get beautiful flower beds worthy of admiration.
