Mays Greenhouse - Bloomington, Indiana - Garden Center and Nursery

Bearded Iris Culture: German Iris needs a location with at least 6 hours of direct sun for best bloom. They are tolerant of most soil types as long as it is well drained and not too compacted. When planting, loosen the soil 8-12” deep and add generous amounts of bone meal or any form of phosphorous. Make sure 25-50% of the rhizome is above the soil level. In early spring, one application of slow release fertilizer is all that is needed to keep them going all season. German iris tolerate drought, although it is recommended they get supplemental water when needed to keep the foliage looking it’s best. Varieties labeled re-bloomer may send out sparse fall flowers if they are well cared for. When they get crowded every 3-5 years they should be lifted in August and thinned out for best blooming performance. Please note the bloom seasons are noted after the heights, this is to aid in producing an iris plot with extended seasonal interest.

JAPANESE, SIBERIAN, LOUISIANA CULTURE : These Irises all are at their best in moist, rich acidic soil abundant in humus.These tend to be much less maintenance than german iris although they do love their water. Louisiana irises can grow in water year round; The Japanese Irises tolerate shallow water in summer only while Siberian Iris can take considerable dryness upon establishment, although blooming may suffer. The Siberian Irises are also valued for their nice vertical foliage when not in bloom.

German or Bearded Iris - Iris germanica

Bernice’s Legacy - $8.99 / 32” tall / Early-Mid Season / Dusky cinnamon-red with some yellow/orange blending near the base of the petals. A vigorous rebloomer.

Blata - $8.99 / 36” tall / Early-Mid Season / Fragrant rebloomer with canary yellow standards and concord-grape falls with light copper bleeding around the edges.

Earl of Essex - $8.99 / 35” tall / Early Season / Pale violet standards with pure white falls that are edged with a deeper violet stippling. A strong rebloomer.

Harvest of Memories - $8.99 / 38” tall / Mid-Season / Bright yellow good-sized blooms have a slight, sweet fragrance. Known to be a reliable rebloomer.

His Royal Highness - $8.99 / 36” tall / Mid-Season / Ruffled blooms of solid royal purple. Reblooms in the fall.

Immortality - $8.99 / 32” tall / Mid-Season / Vigorous plants with fragrant pure white ruffled blooms, yellow beards. The most likely for fall rebloom.

Ozark Rebounder - $8.99 / 36” tall /Mid Season / Dark plum-purple flowers. Rebloomer.

Victoria Falls - $8.99 / 32” tall / Mid Season / Ruffled lavender-blue petals that mimic water movement. Rebloomer

Japanese Iris (Iris ensata) – Louisiana Iris (Iris x) - Siberian Iris (Iris siberica)

Black Gamecock - $11.99 / Louisiana / 24” tall / Huge 4-6” flowers open flat to display velvety near black blooms with narrow gold signals. Blooms Early-mid summer. Pots sold in the aquatic section.

Blue Flag - $11.99 / versicolor / 30” tall / Erect sword-shaped leaves give rise to violet-blue blooms with purple veining in late spring. Good for water or rain gardens. A deer-resistant Indiana native.

Caesar’s Brother - $7.99 / Siberian / 36-42” tall / Numerous rich purple blooms with a white blaze and black veining. Nice vertical foliage. Blooms in early summer after the tall bearded iris.

Concord Crush - $8.99 / Siberian / 28” tall / A tetraploid with vibrant 6” double blooms of blue standards and deeper navy-blue falls. Often reblooms in the fall.

Dwarf Crested Iris - $5.99 / cristata / 6” tall / Low spreading mounds are covered in small irises in various shades of blue or white. One clump can spread a few feet, best in shade or morning sun. Indiana native

How Audacious - $8.99 / Siberian / 30” tall / Stunning violet blooms of violet-grape with a yellow and white splotch in the center of each fall. Narrow green foliage.

Lion King - $9.99 / Japanese / 36-48” tall / Huge, 7-8” double blooms of grape-fuchsia with white striations. Blooms later than all others mentioned here and needs rich, moist acidic soil to thrive.

Peacock Butterfly Miss Apple - New $8.99 / Siberian / 30” tall / Fragrant blooms of cranberry, mauve, violet, gold, and red.

Sunfisher - New $9.99 / Siberian / 28” tall / Deep yellow falls / cream standards. One of the first Siberians to bloom.

Sky Mirror - $9.99 / Siberian / 35” tall / Sky blue flowers with a deeper violet blotch around the beard. An unusual color for a Siberian Iris.

Variegata - $8.99 / Japanese / 28” tall / Bright purple flowers with yellow beards. Nice white striped leaves add interest post-bloom.