The Irises Beautiful In The Water Garden!!

Each iris blooms in spring, sometime between May and July depending upon cultivar and climate. Colors range from every color in the rainbow. Some are deeply veined or heavily marked with a yellow glow towards the center of the petals. Certain cultivars will even rebloom in the fall, if they are grown in climates that they prefer.

The flowers of water gardens irises generally rise above the leaves of the plant, and often they appear to be floating on air. From a distance, once could easily mistake them for brightly colored butterflies. The substantial root systems of many water garden Iris species often make them excellent for holding back soil erosion along the banks of natural ponds and streams. Some iris species tolerate seasonal drought as well as seasonal flooding, thus earning them a place in detention or retention areas in the larger, corporate landscape. Even a ditch or a wet spot in a homeowner's backyard is perfectly suited to many moisture loving iris species.

Water garden irises are amiable sorts that blend well with many other pondside plants, especially those that grow closer to the water surface and have delicate foliage. Parrot feather is an excellent accent plant when grown at the base of a water iris. It's finely cut fluffy foliage softens the water line and contrasts well with the iris's larger, sword-shaped, architectural foliage. Iris leaves will also serve to shade smaller inhabitants, like marsh marigold or candelabra primula which shun the heat of the summer sun.

Most irises perform well if they receive a full day of sunlight. They will also grow well and bloom reliably if given at least six hours of sun. Cultivars whose flowers are white or light colored often prefer some shade to protect their blossoms from drying out too quickly. Generally, water garden iris will not flower if sunlight drops to an average of less than four hours per day. At reduced exposures, most iris species will wither and eventually die out completely.

If an iris is to be placed in a partially shaded spot, morning sun is usually preferable to afternoon sun. The warming rays in the morning will help to evaporate dew from the plant's leaves, reducing the risks of attack from fungus or bacteria. Cutworms will also retreat to a subterranean slumber once exposed to sunlight. Morning light is less harsh to iris flowers, but afternoon sun can easily burn up the paper thin petals of the lighter blossoms.

Seasonal Care And Maintenance

Water irises are dependent upon seasonal changes in day length and water or soil temperature to induce them to go dormant in the winter and to prompt them to start growing again in spring. It is critical that potted water irises be brought up near the surface of the pond in the early spring where the water is warmer. This warming temperature awakens the irises from the winter slumber and causes them to begin bud formation. Irises that are planted in soil near the edge of the pond should be cleaned of mulch and debris in early spring to allow the sun's rays to warm the plant and its soil environment.

Water garden irises are heavy feeders and benefit from early spring fertilizer to supplement the soil's nutrients. The more fertilizer that they receive the more they will grow and flower. You will want to begin fertilizing when temperatures reach 65 degrees and continue to fertilize at one month intervals, threw the season. You will want to stop fertilizing about a month before the last frost free date. To allow the irises to harden off for winter.

Irises are care free plants and need minimal attention through the summer. Deadheading spent flowers will stop the plant from seeding all over the pond. Trimming off old or unsightly foliage reduces the threat of pests and diseases, another excellent reason to keep the plants well tended. Fall cleaning of irises also prevents diseases or insects from overwintering on the plant.

As foliage dies down preparing for winter and the water temperature cools, the foliage will die down. Trim the leaves back to just an inch or so above the crown of the plant. Leave the plants in the pond, making sure that they will stay wet through the winter. Some gardeners prefer to mulch them into the garden, while others will move them to the bottom of the pond. They should not be exposed to winter's cold winds by being taken out of the pond and simply left to freeze dry in their pots. Siberian irises as a general rule and some other cultivars will survive a period of dormancy with their crowns submerged below water. They do perform well if they are grown in a boggy area where soil stays moist but the crown of the plant is not covered with water. Growing these species at the edge of a natural pond or stream, where they will not be subjected to a winter drowning, is the ideal solution.