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Cultivation and Planting Suggestions 
HE TALL BEARDED IRISES are sun lovers and grow most 
luxuriantly and flower most abundantly in full exposure to the 
sun. They will grow well and flower to some extent in partial 
shade if normal moisture is available, but the quantity of flowers 
produced will usually be in proportion to the amount of sunshine 
received. In dense shade they are usually flowerless. 
The Iris does well in a dry situation where most plants would perish of drought, 
and its ability to withstand heat and drought is one of its most valuable char¬ 
acteristics. Good drainage is essential. If the drainage is poor, sloping beds, 
mounds or ridges should be made for the plants. 
The Irises are not particular as to soil. They will thrive in either heavy or light 
soil, but the former, if the drainage is good, is preferable to the latter. Ordi¬ 
nary good garden loam suits them best. Unless the soil is poor, fertilizers are 
unnecessary, but if a richer soil is wanted dig in a little bone meal or superphos¬ 
phate. An exceedingly rich soil is likely to result in rank growth and few 
flowers. Irises like a little lime. Usually there is enough of this element 
present, but when it is lacking it may be supplied in the form of powdered 
slaked lime, pulverized old mortar or ground limestone. 
Irises are best transplanted during the dormant season, which is after they have 
blossomed till late fall, and should be replanted while the ground is still warm 
enough to start a new root system. This time varies in different parts of the 
country. July, August and September are the best months here in the northern 
states and September and October for the southern states where summers are 
hot and dry. 
The rhizomes, if shipped long distances, will appear on arrival dry, but no 
concern need be felt as these plants are very drought resistant. They should 
be planted, however, as soon as possible, with the roots well firmed into the 
ground and the tops of the rhizomes left exposed to the sun. They may be 
watered when planted, but future watering after the plant has become estab¬ 
lished may result in an excess of moisture that may bring on rhizome rot. 
Irises planted in the fall, especially if planted late, and more especially if planted 
in a heavy soil, should be given a covering of an inch or so of some light 
material that will not pack and hold moisture. This should be put on after the 
ground freezes, not to protect them from the cold, but to prevent them from 
being lifted out of the ground by alternate freezing and thawing. We have 
found marsh hay to be the best covering in this section. 
