CULTURE OF THE BEARDED IRIS 

The iris is one of the easiest plants to cultivate.  They need three main conditions to bloom and thrive:

When you receive your rhizomes, plant them as soon as possible!  I am a firm believer in working super phosphate into the soil where the roots will be located before planting.  I use 0-20-0 with great results.  I also fertilize with 5-10-10 one month before the spring bloom begins.  Work a handful into the soil around the iris.  Never allow the fertilizer to come into direct contact with the rhizomes.  Never bury the rhizome---you should be able to see the rhizome on the surface.  Water the iris in, as you would other new plantings.  

A Note about Reblooming Iris: 

Reblooming, or remontant iris, have a genetic tendency to send up additional bloom stalks in late summer or fall.  In warm climates they may bloom off and on during the summer.  An additional feeding of 5-10-10 about two weeks after spring bloom along with frequent watering will encourage rebloom.  Do not over water as this may cause the iris to rot. 

Reblooming iris may vary in their performance from climate to climate, and cannot be guaranteed to rebloom, especially in colder climates.