Iris Information

Irises are typically available to preorder around April into May and then shipped in July and August.  Rhizomes will be dug, trimmed, washed, and marked by name before they are mailed to you.  We ship USPS shipping so you will have a tracking number and insurance.  We charge $15 Flat rate shipping per order for any number of irises ordered.  (Shipping in USA only to 48 states)

Bearded irises need full sun or at least six hours of sun per day to get your best bloom.  They prefer well-draining soil (i.e., don't like to stay wet for long periods of time).   Plant your irises about a foot apart with the green fan up and the rhizome just below the top of the soil.  Keep them watered after planting for a while until they get established in their new location.    After that, they usually require very little watering.  It can be difficult to get newly planted irises started well if your summers are hot and dry like ours.  You can put your new irises in pots and keep them watered well and in the shade until Fall when you can get them planted in the ground.  Newly planted irises generally need at least six weeks in the ground before your first frost to get a good start on next year's bloom season.  

Irises bloom in the Springtime and prefer full sun.  Our bloom season in North Texas lasts all of April and into May.   Iris gardens in the north will have their bloom season later than that timeframe.  Irises classified as Rebloomers will sometimes bloom at other times of the year as well.  Some of them rebloom for us right after the regular bloom season (in June) and some bloom in the Fall.  Reblooming irises sometimes need extra care, like fertilizer and watering, before they will rebloom.  Keep in mind that everyone's garden conditions are different and you might experience different results.   Irises are also typically classified as Early Season (E), Mid Season (M), or Late Season (L) bloomers.  Planting some of each helps extend your bloom season!  

There are thousands of bearded irises registered with The American Iris Society. AIS judges vote on a variety of awards each year, with the top award being the Dyke's Medal.  The AIS website is a wealth of information!  You can see additional information on awards, classifications and everything else "iris" on their website www.irises.org.   Awards & Symposiums – American Iris Society (irises.org)