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Bearded Iris (Rebloomers) Planting Guide
Bearded iris grow from rhizomes, not traditional tulip-like bulbs. Iris rhizomes are fleshy tubers that are planted on their sides close to the soil surface. Roots grow from the bottom side of the rhizome anchoring the plant and accessing nutrients and moisture from the soil. These roots need to establish before winter's cold descends on the garden. In freezing climates, late summer through early fall planting is an ideal planting time. In warmer areas, bearded irises may be planted through late October and early November. Late planted rhizomes may not bloom full strength their first spring, but catch up and produce normal flowering displays thereafter.
Success Snapshot

PLANTING
DEPTH
1/2 - 1"

WATER
QUANTITY
Moderate to Low once established

SUNLIGHT
QUANTITY
Full to Partial Sun

PLANTING
PROXIMITY
8-12" Apart

BLOOM
SEASON
Spring to Fall

HARDINESS
ZONES
Zones 5-10
Related Products

Reblooming Bearded Iris Colorful Cocktail Mix
$17.95
Contains: 3 Large Rhizomes
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris His Royal Highness
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'His Royal Highness'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Concertina
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Concertina'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Halloween Halo (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Halloween Halo'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Eternal Bliss (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Eternal Bliss'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Rockstar
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Rockstar'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Clarence (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Clarence'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Rio Vista
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Rio Vista'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Tennison Ridge
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Tennison Ridge'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Renown (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Renown'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Harvest of Memories (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Harvest of Memories'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Eggnog
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Eggnog'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Pink Attraction (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Pink Attraction'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Priscilla of Corinth
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Priscilla of Corinth'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Invitation (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Invitation'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris My Friend Jonathan (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'My Friend Jonathan'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Beverly Sills (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Beverly Sills'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Shoot the Moon
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Shoot the Moon'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Navajo Jewel
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Navajo Jewel'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Frequent Flyer (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Frequent Flyer'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Earl of Essex
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Earl of Essex'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Dashing (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Dashing'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Cordoba
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Cordoba'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Champagne Elegance
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Champagne Elegance'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Ozark Rebounder
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Ozark Rebounder'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Mesmerizer (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Mesmerizer'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Sugar Blues (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Sugar Blues'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Pleasant Peasant
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Pleasant Peasant'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Lady Friend (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Lady Friend'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Mariposa Skies (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Mariposa Skies'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Florentine Silk
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Florentine Silk'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Gypsy Lord (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Gypsy Lord'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris City Lights (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'City Lights'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Immortality (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Immortality'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Innocent Star
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Innocent Star'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Bernice's Legacy
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Bernice's Legacy'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Victoria Falls (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Victoria Falls'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Blatant (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Blatant'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris October Splendor (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'October Splendor'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Superstition (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Superstition'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Rosalie Figge (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae Germanica 'Rosalie Figge'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Feed Back
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Feed Back'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Cloud Ballet (Fragrant)
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Cloud Ballet'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris War Chief
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'War Chief'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Jurassic Park
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Jurassic Park'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10

Reblooming Bearded Iris Wine Festival
$7.95
Contains: 1 large bearded iris rhizome
Botanical Name: Iridaceae germanica 'Wine Festival'
Exposure: N/A
Hardiness: Zones 3-10; Re-blooms Zones 5-10
- Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain, scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3" to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. Iris must not sit in soggy soil or the rhizomes will rot.
- Site your iris where they will receive full sun. In the hottest parts of the country a bit of afternoon shade is fine.
- Space rhizomes 8-12" apart. Position them so the end with the existing leaves points in the direction you want the initial growth to occur. Many people place the rhizomes facing towards the front of a bed or border, for instance. Plant the rhizomes horizontally, so the tops are just peeking above the soil surface and the roots are spread out in the soil below. Compared with most bulbs, this seems too shallow, but for bearded iris it's perfect. In very hot areas, cover the rhizome with 1/2”-1” of soil to prevent the rhizome from sustaining sun damage.
- After planting, water well, gently soaking the soil and settling it around the rhizome. Then ease off on the water; your bulb doesn't need moisture when there isn't yet growth to support. Foliage will begin to form in the autumn. In warmer climates, a few varieties may even bloom in the winter. For most areas, spring will bring a flush of new foliage and flowers.
- When in bloom, feel free to cut iris flowers for beautiful, often lightly fragrant bouquets. While iris stems often aren't long lasting cuts the flower colors and detail are outstanding when appreciated up close. So cut a few!
- Water bearded iris regularly until about 6 weeks after the flowers have faded. This moisture will increase clump development and bud production for the next blooming period. A little moderate-nitrogen fertilizer (6-10-10, for instance) applied in early spring and after flowering will help the plants produce lots of flowers. On the other hand, high nitrogen fertilizer will encourage rot. This is one case where more is not better.
- After blooming has finished for the season, feel free to cut off the spent flower stems but leave the foliage in place. The sword-like leaves will gather sunlight, photosynthesize and provide nourishment for next season's show. The leaves will also provide a strong linear element in your garden. Water as needed during active growth periods.
- Bearded iris grow into large, perennial plants with rhizomes that expand into a large network over time. Keep this in mind as you choose a container and select one that is 2 gallons or larger.Â
- Fill your containers with good quality, well-drained soil. Almost any commercially available potting medium will work fine. Make sure there are adequate drainage holes; the iris rhizomes must never sit in waterlogged soil or they will rot.
- Site your iris where they will receive full sun. In the hottest parts of the country a bit of afternoon shade is fine.
- Space rhizomes 6-8" apart. Position them so the end with the existing leaves points in the direction you want the initial growth to occur. Place the rhizomes facing towards a gate through which visitors will ender your garden, for instance. Plant the rhizomes horizontally, so the tops are just peeking above the soil surface and the roots are spread out in the soil below. Compared with most bulbs, this seems too shallow, but for bearded iris it's perfect. In very hot areas, cover the rhizome with 1/2”-1” of soil to prevent the rhizome from sustaining sun damage. Tuck them in so that the top inch of the bulb is left above the soil surface. The top of the bulb is the part that looks a little like the stem area of an onion and the bottom has a flat plate, often with a few roots attached.
- Water well, gently soaking the soil and settling it around the rhizomes. Until new growth shows that the plants have begun to root in, water only lightly. Less is usually better at this stage.
- Enjoy your flowering irises and feel free to snip a stem here or there for use in a vase. This won't hurt your plants.
- After blooming has finished for the season, feel free to cut off the spent flower stems but leave the foliage in place. The sword-like leaves will gather sunlight, photosynthesize and provide nourishment for next season's show. The leaves will also provide a strong linear element in your containers. Water as needed during active growth periods. Water needs are typically 1/2-1" of moisture per week, or more if the iris are in pots with porous sides, like terra cotta.