How to Grow Iris Flowers
Posted on 20/10/2020
Planting, Growing and Caring for Iris Flowers
Originating from the regions of North America, the Iris flower is now a popular flower commonly seen in gardens. These beautiful flowers come in a range of different colours such as purple, blue, yellow, white, orange, pink, red and brown. Some irises come in one solid colour; others merge two colours on their petals. In the iris family, there exists approximately 200 species of this flower. The most common species are the Siberian and bearded irises. An iris flower is characterised by its three petals – the standards – and its three sepals – the falls.
Traditionally, an iris flower means rainbow which comes from the Greek goddess. She was the messenger of love and she travelled by the rainbow. It is believed that this flower was named after the rainbow because of the numerous varieties of colours the iris flower comes in. Like all flowers, it does have its own special meaning. It signifies wisdom, faith and hope. However, each colour has its own individual meaning. The purple stands for loyalty, the yellow for passion and the white for remembrance. 
There are many uses of the iris flower. Its roots are supposed to treat skin problems and diseases. Its juice is used in cosmetics such as creams and it is also used for dropsy.
Irises are very easy to grow and they don’t require a lot of garden maintenance. Before planting it, you must ensure the soil medium is well drained and its Ph is at about 6.8. You can also add fertilizer to the soil. Irises can be grown from seeds and from root separation. The rhizomes should be planted as long as they have at least 2 leaf sprouts. Expose the top of the rhizomes and space each one about 20 inches apart. However, the space in which you place them depends highly on the size of them. Depending on the weather conditions, you should water them carefully. Rather than frequent water, it is recommended to provide them with a deep watering every once in a while. This is much more effective than watering them on a frequent basis. Apply fertilizer before and after an iris blooms. Garden care is essential if you want to enjoy healthy plants.
To keep them looking well and healthy, cut back flower stalks of the faded plants. In the fall, professional gardeners recommend that you cut away dead or damaged foliage and prune leaves. If you want your flowers to bloom more than once, remove faded flowers and water throughout the summer to keep the soil moist. If the soil freezes up, add mulch to it and this prevents them from getting damaged or ruined. The heaving of the roots can occur during the icy weather. If they do heave, however, cover the rhizomes with soil and do not force the plants back into the soil as this will cause more damage than good. If you are not confident that you can handle it all you should hire a gardening service or at least contact them for advice.
Ensure that irises are separated and thinned every three years of growth so that they do not overlap. If there is a lot of build-ups, remove it from the centre as this will encourage it to bloom and prevent disease. Remember to weed on a regular basis. Weed removal is an important aspect of the gardening process. And once the stems have bloomed, cut them back and get rid of any brown leaves.
Irises are beautiful flowers that come in a range of colours, all symbolising different things. These wonderful flowers are grown all over the world and can survive in the most extreme conditions. From icy cold to desert hot, these sturdy flowers can bloom through it all. This is what makes them so magnificent and preferred by local gardeners. It is no wonder why they are rapidly becoming one of the most popular flowers to see growing in gardens across the globe.
