Plant field guide
Iris (Bearded)
Elegant sword-like foliage with showy ruffled flowers in virtually every color. Reblooming varieties available.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Iris germanica
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Height
- 24 in (61 cm) – 40 in (102 cm)
- Spread
- 12 in (30 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 3–9; average annual extreme minimum from -40°F (-40.0°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: July, August.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Plant rhizomes at soil surface (top exposed to sun). Divide every 3-4 years. Watch for iris borers.
Pruning
Remove spent flower stalks after blooming. Cut foliage fans to 6 inches when dividing in late summer.
Fertilizer
Low-nitrogen (6-10-10)
After flowering
Mulch
Do not mulch over rhizomes - they need sun exposure.