Iris Species and How to Care for Them. Exotism All Over Your Garden
The iris is appreciated by many gardeners, due to its delicate flowers, exotically shaped, somewhat like orchids. Irises are perennials that go well along alleys or grouped together on lawns. This flower has approximately 150 species, some in strong, spectacular colors. Here are some of the most beautiful iris species and how to care for them.
Irises are either rhizomatous or bulbous depending on their root type. The blooming stems bear up to 6 or 7 flowers, vividly colored and with a powerful scent.
Iris species and how to care for them. Rhizomatous species
Iris germanica – It’s practically the most common species. It’s about 45 – 100 cm tall and bears purple flowers with some bright yellow. There’s also a white flowers vaiety to this species. It blooms in April and May.
Iris florentina – Its flowers are colored in light blue or violet and white.
Iris sambucina – Has its flowers colored in yellow.
Iris pumila – It’s a short species, only as high as 10 – 15 cm. The flowers are colored in different shades of blue or yellow. It blooms in April and May and looks very nice both bordering an alley or in clumps. Some varieties have a second blooming in autumn.
Iris kaempferi (Japanese iris) – A lot of horticulturists worked on this species and they obtained a lot of varieties with differently colored flowers. This iris grows meter tall, blooms later, in June and July, loves water and is sensitive to low temperatures.
Rhizomatous iris species prefer moist soil, even wetland, and to be in the shade, with the exception of Iris pumila, that prefers dry soil.
Iris species and how to care for them. Bulbous species
Iris xiphioides – This species has very beautiful flowers colored in purle or dark blue.
Iris xiphium – It’s a species of spanish origin, with strongly scented flowers, and a striking bright yellow spot on every petal.
Bulbous iris species bloom in May and June, prefer fertile soils, in the sunlight or partial shade. They need to be covered with straws or leaves during winter to be protected from the frost.
Credits: agromonitor.ro, floraria-adi.ro
Photo credits: freenatureimages.eu, rhs.o, biolib.cz, anthesis.ro, gardenia.net, pyrenaen-botanik.de, gardensonline.com.au
