IRIS PLANTING AND CULTURAL DIRECTIONS 
WHEN TO PLANT. For best results plant June through September. Early planting 
establishes the new Iris plants before winter. This is the time to reset clumps of 
Iris that are crowded, generally clumps 3 to 4 years old. 
WHERE TO PLANT. The ideal location for your Iris is a sunny, well drained position. 
Sunshine at a minumum half days; Iris will not do well in the deep shade. No water 
should stand in your Iris beds. Raise beds slightly above the level of your garden 
paths if necessary. 
DEPTH TO PLANT. Place your rhizomes just below the surface of the ground with 
the roots well spread out underneath so the rhizome is within reach of the warmth of 
the sun’s rays while the roots beneath are in moist (not soggy) soil. Be sure to 
firm the soil tightly around each rhizome when planting. Follow ordinary good 
garden practice of watering and settling soil on newly set plants, of course. 
DISTANCE APART: This will depend on your particular plans. Generally iris are 
planted from 14” to 2’ apart. If you desire immediate clump effect plant 8” apart 
in groups of 3 or more of one variety. You may have to divide and separate your 
plantings more often, but you will have a wonderful spash of color sooner than 
you would if you planted only one rhizome of one variety. 
FERTILIZATION. Iris will thrive without feeding but will respond to its application. 
In the matter of fertilizers, garden sense should be used in liberal quantity. In the 
preparation of your new Iris bed, spade in a good application of compost below 
the roots. Then an application of a well balanced fertilizer applied as a top dress- 
ing dusted around and in between the plants in early spring or very late fall is 
desirable. Steamed bone meal and super-phosphate are fine top dressing materials. 
CULTIVATING. _Do it shallowly. Iris feeding roots are very near the surface. Keep 
your Iris free of weeds and do not allow neighboring plants to encroach upon them. 
Remember, they should have sunlight right down to the rhizome. Remove the outer 
leaves as they begin to brown. At all times keep litter, old Iris leaves, grasses, 
etc., away from the rhizomes. Clean cultivation is the finest precaution for Iris 
troubles. ! 
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