Iris
Photo Credit: Burpee

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Iris
Interesting Facts
Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, gives her name to these flowers. History records their cultivation as far back as 1500 BC in Egypt.
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Iris   Armageddon (Iris)

A narrow band of pink around the edges heightens the contrast. Brilliant orange beards complete the picture. This special Iris adds excitement to any garden or arrangement.

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Plant Types: Perennial
Light: Shade to Partial Sun
Height: 2 feet 8 inches
Width: 1 foot to 1 foot 6 inches
Zones: 3a to 8b
Bloom Color: Purple
Bloom Seasons: Early fall, Mid fall, Late fall
Special Features: Deer resistant
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Plant Care
Planting:
Varies by type. Beware of planting rhizomes too deeply or covered with too much mulch, as they may rot. Plant bearded irises from mid-summer to early fall.
Plant Growth:
A vast genus or both perennials and bulbs, 300 species and thousands of cultivars. Foliage is sword shaped, strap shaped, or grassy. Some rhizomatous species spread widely, other form clumps.
Blooming:
All bear flowers with 6 petals. Three, called standards, point up or out. And three, called falls, point out or down. Generally flowers are borne in small clusters and buds open in succession along the stalk.
Soil and Irrigation:
Bearded irises prefer average to rich, well-drained soil. Whereas bog irises need permanently damp soil or even to be placed at a pond margin.
Fertilization:
If you fertilize, which may not be needed if your irises have good green foliage, use half a cup of 5-10-10 fertilizer per clump after flowering. Do not apply directly to the rhizomes, as it could burn them.
Pruning:
To prevent seeding, cut back the stalks to 1-2" above the rhizomes, after the flowers have faded.
Pests:
The most serious problem is bacterial soft rot, which you will recognize from mushy, foul-smelling rhizomes. To prevent, do not use manure or excess nitrogen, especially with poor drainage. If soft rot occurs, dig up and destroy the effected portions of rhizome