Beginner’s Guide: Planting Iris Bulbs in 3 Simple Steps

When to plant Iris Bulbs? Well, before we answer that question and some more about planting Iris Bulbs in your home, there are a few things you need to know. Iris bulbs are one of the most impressive and reliable plants to grow in the gardens of households. The best part about sowing the seeds of these plants is that you can grow them in pots if you want to. So, it is not a matter of space if you want to grow them in your vicinity.

These amazing plants thrive best in sunny weather, and these plants can be a frown in a range of different soils. These amazing bulbs grow a variety of flowers from spring to summer. Some varieties of the plant bloom in February and March, and others bloom between May to June.

Here we have tried to cover all the aspects of planting and growing Iris Bulbs in your home and how to take care of these plants. So let us find out everything about when to plant iris bulbs, how to plant them, how to take care of them and more.

When to Plant Iris Bulbs?

Before we jump into sowing Iris bulbs in the ground, it is important to know when to plant Iris Bulbs. Sowing the iris bulbs between September to November can help you with the best results. The early autumn sowing of these plants will give the plants enough time to grow before they bloom their first flowers. However, you should also try to sow these bulbs as quickly as possible for the best results.

Here are some special tips on when to plant Iris Bulbs:

• Plant them in late summer to early fall. Planting them around this time creates perfect conditions for their growth. The nighttime temperature revolving around 4 to 10 degrees Celsius will help the plants with the perfect condition for their growth.
• As we have mentioned earlier, the taller and bearded varieties of the iris are planted closer to fall. This is due to their habit of going dormant in early to mid-summer.
• However, plant the iris bulbs as soon as possible when you have received them in a container earlier in the year. It is always better to put them in the ground instead of waiting for the ideal time of the year.

Now that you know when to plant Iris Bulbs, here is how to plant Iris bulbs in three simple steps:

How to Plant Iris Bulbs in 3 Stages?

Here we will tell you how to choose the right bulbs to plant in the soil. You must also know about picking the right location and planting the iris bulbs. Here, we will talk about everything you need to know about planting iris bulbs in your home.

1. Choose Your Bulbs

First, when planning to plant Iris bulbs, you need to choose the right types of bulbs properly. Well, there are different varieties of these plants available in the market. You should choose the healthy seeds of the iris you want to grow in your garden.

When choosing the seeds, you should also consider their blooming time. Along with the type of iris you want to grow, you will also need to check their growing and blooming time before buying these seeds and planting them. This is crucial for the plants as that will determine their healthy growth.

2. Pick the Ideal Location

Once you have chosen the type of irises you want to grow, you need to find the perfect location to plant the seeds. The best part about iris bulbs is that they can grow in different soils. So, choosing the right soil or preparing the right mix of soil is not as big a headache as other plants in your garden. For this reason, these plants are also perfect for beginner gardeners.

Different types of iris plants prefer different types of alkaline or neutral soil as their perfect growing environment. Some of these plants might prefer shaded areas. However, the best-growing conditions for the iris bulbs will depend on the variety you choose to grow.

No matter what type of iris bulbs you have chosen for your garden, full exposure to sunlight and good draining are two of the most crucial factors for most of the irises you will choose to grow.

You can also grow bulb irises in a bed or border in the garden. You can also neutralize them below deciduous trees, or you can sow them on a lawn as well. Planting them in pots is another amazing idea.

If you plant these bulbs in a container, you should consider creating bulb lasagna. You can layer them with other spring bulbs, creating an amazing display as it blooms over a long time.

You can buy three different iris bulbs for an impact. However, if you have time and are ready to wait for the first flowers in your iris bulbs, you can buy single varieties and let them bulk up in their time.

3. Plant the Iris Bulbs

Now that you have selected the right bulbs and the container or soil to sow them in, it’s time to plant them in your garden. If you are planting a few of these plants, you can rely on a bulb hole maker or a planter that can make your job easier.

This is typically the best way to plant iris bulbs. However, planting them deep in the ground will increase their chances of better flowering. Therefore, we recommend planting the iris bulbs at least 15cm deep.

If you plant these bulbs directly in the ground, you can make holes to that depth. After that, you can gently fill them again and firm the soils in their places.

There are a few more things that you need to remember while planting these plants in the soil. These bulbs have to be placed at least 5-7cm away from each other. However, you might not have that much space when placing them in the containers. No worries, you can get away with lesser spacing in the containers if you don’t plan them to be a permanent display.

You should also ensure that the bulbs are not touching each other. Plant place them at least a bulb width apart when planting them in the tub. When growing these plants in a container, you should use the bulbs in a bulb lasagne with other bulbs.

Another important thing is to remember that when you want to create a bulb lasagne, make sure not to place them directly above the ones in the lower tiers.

Now that you know about the three different stages of sowing the iris bulbs in your house, here are a few special tips about planting these plants properly:

Tips to Plant Iris Bulbs Properly in Your Home

• Apply a bone meal fertilizer for better growth of these plants.
• Ensure the best drainage for your plants, which is one key to helping your plants grow properly.
• Plant the bare-foot ones horizontally with their exposed tops and roots under the ground.
• Soak the Siberian iris variant in water overnight before opting to plant them. Also, plant them in a hole only an inch deep.
• Do not mulch around the bulbs.

Where Do Irises Grow the Best?

The best place to grow irises is under the sun. You should allow at least six to eight hours of sunlight every day. The best-recommended planting of the iris bulbs is to plant them in a soil bed dedicated to them. Here are some tips to ensure the best growth of iris bulbs in your garden.

• You should remove all the winter mulch and other old foliage in the early spring. This will allow new growth for the plants.
• You should fertilize the plants in the early spring. You should scratch the all-purpose fertilizer around the plants. Try to avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers. Instead, opt for high-calcium ones.
• Reblooming the irises will be best as the first wave of flowering slowly ends.
• Never overwater the irises. Over moisture, the soil and it will cause their rhizomes to rot. However, water them deeply and thoroughly during the drought seasons of the British summer.
• Always keep the rhizomes exposed. Bearded iris rhizomes will need both the sun and the air to let them dry out. Being covered in soil or surrounded by other plants in a crowded place will cause rot.
• The taller irises will need staking to prevent them from falling over.
• Removing the spent blooms or deadheading constantly will encourage better growth and flowers. You can only prune off the brown leaf tips when required.
• Cut back the foliage mercilessly each time the winter passes. This will encourage new growth and dispose of the debris in the trash.
• You can cover the rhizomes with a few inches of sand topped with a slight layer of boughs for better winter protection.
• The iris borer is a common iris pest you need to save your plants. There are a few signs, like vertical streaks in the leaves. Find the pests and remove them from the plants. If you see rhizomes rotting, dig them up and remove the parts that are affected.

Conclusion

There are many amazing iris bulbs available out there. To grow healthier iris bulb plants every time, gardening enthusiasts need to understand when to plant iris bulbs in their gardens.

In this article, you will learn about when to plant iris bulbs, how to plant them, how to grow healthier plants, and more. Follow the tips described in this article and create a better, more beautiful border in your garden with these iris bulbs.

Or you can even plant them in your flower pots; whatever you have in mind, we have the right tips to help you.

Try these tips about growing iris bulbs. Suppose you enjoy reading about how to grow your garden better and healthier.