Irises are known to mankind for more than one millennium. When the question arises of which flower to plant, most gardeners prefer them. Irises not only decorate the flowerbed and garden, but also serve as a smooth transition from spring to summer. From year to year, these flowers delight others with their varied colors.
Description of iris plant
Iris is a flower that is unpretentious in leaving. You can meet him in the gardens of Europe, at the foot of the mountains in Asia, in the tropical forests of Africa, as well as in North America. The flower does not grow in areas with a dry and very cold climate. The plant blooms in spring, some varieties in the fall. It prefers sunny areas, grows poorly in the shade and under trees.
Iris - a plant that fascinates with its abundant flowering
What does it look like
Curly iris looks like an orchid. The description of the iris can be compared with a rainbow, the bud combines several shades. Flower petals are arranged in two rows. They are deployed so that you can see each vein. The first tier is bent to the bottom, and the upper one is raised and forms a dome where nectar is located.
Leaves
Iris is classified as a perennial. Rhizome is highly developed and is located in the upper soil layer. The stems of the plant are branched, grow in a group or individually. The leaves of iris, depending on the variety, can be either wide or narrow. In spring, the foliage is light green in color; by summer it turns dark green. Some varieties, such as dwarf hybrids, have virtually no leaves. They are grown exclusively for floristry and window sill decoration.
For your information! Emphasis is placed on the first vowel when it comes to flower.
Height
By height, plants are divided into three groups:
- high (more than 70 cm);
- medium-sized (from 40 to 70 cm);
- dwarf (up to 40 cm).
Dwarf varieties are divided into miniature (up to 20 cm) and standard (up to 40 cm).
Dwarf view
What colors are
When the child asks, irises - what kind of plant it is and why it is so called, we can answer that this is all due to the unusual and interesting shade of the bud. The magnificent iris color is provided by the presence of two groups of pigments, which are responsible for the dominance of a particular shade. Thanks to anthocyanin, you can enjoy purple, red and purple inflorescences, and the carotenoid stains the buds in yellow, orange and pink.
Note! Wild irises can only be blue or yellow.
What are the irises
The flower is common on all continents. It is grown as a decorative culture, and as a raw material for confectionery and perfumery. What irises are, where they grow in the wild, what are the characteristics, the answer depends on the species. In the world there are about 800 varieties. About 60 species grow on the territory of Russia.
Biologists divide irises into two groups:
- bearded, which have small hairs on the petals;
- beardless, hairs on the petals are absent.
Suprim Sultan (bearded group)
Field
Field iris grows on the sunny plains, covering vast territories. The plant does not have bulbs, it has only rhizome. It is worth digging for planting in the spring, and a year later an inflorescence will appear on it. The steppe flower grows well in any soil, does not need top dressing and enhanced watering. It blooms in the steppe in early June and blooms for a month. After the inflorescences dry up, seed boxes are formed in place of the buds. Thanks to them, the flower multiplies.
For your information! Due to the air chambers, the seeds do not drown, so the bushes quickly grow near ponds.
Iris field
Varietal decorative
Irises are grown on personal plots, flower beds, on balconies. Of these, magnificent bouquets are used in landscape design. Decorative irises are planted along the edges of flower beds, while correctly choosing varieties that are in harmony in color.
Note! Flowers are classified by flowering time, bud shape, stem height.
Garden irises: types and varieties
Irises are loved because during flowering they have an amazing appearance. The second name of the flower is kasatiki, since it is from the genus kasatiki. The following groups of irises belong to garden species:
- bearded;
- Japanese
- dwarf;
- Siberian.
Often in flower beds and gardens you can find bearded species. They are characterized by frost resistance, do not need shelter in winter. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests.
Bearded Irises
Famous varieties are:
- Suprim Sultan is the highest among bearded handsome men, reaching up to 100 cm. The upper petals are dark yellow, the lower velvet colors of mahogany. Iris blooms from June to July;
- Sultan Palace. Large-sized German iris buds, dark red petals. It blooms from May to June;
- Vizir. The flower is large rounded with excellent corrugation of a raspberry-garnet hue with red beards. Grows to 95 cm;
- Champagne Waltz. Flower height 92 cm. Fouls white with apricot-yellow corrugated border and red beards.
Champagne Waltz
Dwarf varieties
Small iris - a real find for flower beds and lawns. Its size is not higher than 40 cm. Popular varieties of dwarfs:
- Tinker Bell grows up to 15 cm. Leaves are basal broadly linear bluish. The bud is yellow or purple. It blooms in May;
- Pappet Baby is an elegant flower with a blue tint. He has a lilac-brown color at the base of fouls and copper streaks. Height is 18 cm;
- Sapphire Jam mesmerizes with petals of a bright blue sapphire color with a light blue beard;
- Dark Over is a gorgeous large flower of a dark burgundy hue with a copper-yellow beard at the base of the lower petals.
Dark Over
Bulbous irises
Bulbous species can be grown both in open ground and in a flowerpot indoors. There are about 800 varieties. Among them, the most popular are:
- Alida is a frost-resistant type. It blooms as soon as the snow melts. Buds of pale blue color with yellow and white marks. Does not exceed 10-15 cm;
- Katarin Khodkin is a net variety. The upper petals are lilac, the lower ones resemble the feather of an exotic bird with purple touches and a yellow spot;
- Dunford is a dwarf bulbous representative of the genus. Due to its small size, it has become a favorite in room collections. Yellow bud;
- Pauline is a small plant that is great for mixborders, rocky gardens and rockeries. A purple bud with a pristine white spot. It blooms immediately after the snow melts.
Pauline
Note! In order for beautiful flowers to appear on the site, it is necessary to carefully select the bulbs before planting.
Siberian view
Species Siberian varieties are distinguished by a hollow stem and triangular buds. A plant of small height up to 40 cm, blooms for a month. The best representatives of the species include:
- Alba is a beautifully flowering ornamental shrub up to 45 cm. The bud is a pale snow-white color. On the stem are long leaves of the xiphoid shape;
- Big Ben is a huge evergreen shrub with long, pointed leaves. Blooms in early spring. Inflorescence pale lavender;
- Super Ego. Has not many brothers of similar colors. The color of iris changes from one shade of blue to another;
- Double Standard. The flower has a purple-lilac color with a rich yellow middle, along which stripes are drawn as if with a brush.
Siberian varieties are resistant to temperature extremes and unpretentious in care
Japanese irises
Petals of Japanese killer whales are located horizontally. Breeders specifically bred this species for a humid climate. They are great for growing near ponds, need frequent watering.
Iris Xiphoid Kogesho
The best varieties of iris flower of this species include:
- Lilac Haze grows to 85 cm. The bud is double, the petals do not overlap. They are a light lilac hue with purple rays;
- Kogesho - a herbaceous plant up to 1 m. A bud with a diameter of 20 cm. Iris is large white in color with purple streaks in the center and small yellow spots. Has a short flowering period, up to a month;
- Vasily Alferov. Iris bred in Russia, refers to frost-resistant species. Inflorescence saturated purple. Velvety petals with bright golden yellow eyes. Blooms in late June for 20 days.
Important! Excess calcium in the soil adversely affects all Japanese varieties.
Iris Negletka Romantic evening
Ordinary iris
Ordinary killer whales are not demanding on the composition of the soil, frost-resistant and drought-resistant. If there is too much moisture in the soil, the roots rot. It is not recommended to plant them on heavy clay soils. Iris ordinary grows rapidly, it requires frequent weeding and loosening of the soil.
Popular colors
Numerous varieties of irises are divided by color: plain (Self), two-tone (Bittone), two-tone (Dicolor).
For your information! When the top petals of a bud are lilac, the lower are violet or light blue, and the fouls are darker, then they are called Neglecta.
Blue
Heavenly flowers stand out on any flower bed and in the front garden. The petals of the bud are painted in various shades of blue. Look harmoniously in the neighborhood with blue and purple colors. Look spectacular in a bouquet. Popular varieties of this color include:
- Honky Tonk Blues
- Dusky Challenger;
- Victoria Falls;
- Sapphire Dawn;
- Baltic Sea.
Many representatives of this color are in the German iris.
Baby blue flower, variety Victoria Falls
For your information! The blue color of the iris inspired designers to create the Milavitsa lingerie line.
Purple
Emerald violet coloring is combined with delicate flowers of white and pink tones. The best representatives of this type:
- About Town;
- Autumn Jester;
- Explosive character;
- Lady Vanessa
- Smile;
- Night owl;
- Cupid.
Night owl
Whites
The white iris flower in the flowerbed looks exquisite. Most varieties belong to the bearded group. Some species have small blotches on the petals at the core of a bright tone. Thanks to selection, plants with a unique appearance appeared. You should choose from the following varieties:
- White Nights;
- Bianca
- Immortality;
- Snowflake lacy;
- Lady Snowflake.
Snowy lacy
The black
For lovers of Gothic breeders have brought new varieties of dark and black shades. Among them:
- Before the Storm;
- Night Game;
- Black dragon.
Black beauties are photophilous plants. An ideal place for their landing is a well-lit area that is protected from stagnation of water and winds.
Variety Before the Storm
The main problems in growing
The main problems encountered by gardeners include the lack of flowering. Sometimes the plant suffers from low temperatures at the beginning of winter, when the snow has not yet fallen. Also, unexpected frosts in the spring negatively affect the development of the plant: the roots can freeze. The bush will survive, but there are no flower buds.
Important! Non-resistant varieties need shelter for the winter.
Lack of flowering is affected by a lack of nutrients. It is necessary to feed killer whales three times:
- The first feeding consists of nitrogen and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which are applied in early May. It contributes to the growth of green mass, as well as the proper development of rhizomes.
- The second top dressing is introduced after a couple of weeks. Potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil to form buds.
- The third top dressing is carried out 20 days after the end of flowering. During this period, the laying of flower buds and the active growth of new roots begin. Top dressing consists of superphosphate and potassium salts, as well as organic fertilizers.
Note! Strongly sprouted roots impede the flow of nutrients to the buds, they stop in development and will not bloom.
Care Tips
Tips for growing irises from experienced gardeners:
- The place for planting matters, because irises can grow in one place for several years. Before planting, it is worth considering the plants growing next to them, they should not create a shadow. Palm sedge is a good neighbor.
- Faded buds spoil the appearance of the iris garden, so you need to cut them regularly.
- Appearance can spoil not only faded buds, but also weeds. They should be disposed of as quickly as possible, especially since they are carriers of many diseases.
Irises in landscaping
Irises are the favorite flowers of landscape designers and florists. Properly selected varieties will provide long flowering, and their aroma will delight others for a long time. By planting different varieties, you can achieve interesting color transitions and harmonious combinations.
