Blue Pearl Dutch Iris

Bulbs for Fall Planting:

Plant the bulbs as soon as possible once you have received them. If you cannot plant the bulbs as soon as they have been shipped to you, remove the bulbs from plastic bags and put them on trays with damp peat moss or sawdust in a cool, well-ventilated place until you have a chance to plant them. Do not store them at temperatures below 4°C. Generally all bulbs planted in the fall are hardy and do not need any special protection unless specified.

Where to Plant:

The most important rule when planting bulbs is to choose an area that is well-drained. Most bulbs will rot or deteriorate quickly where soil is constantly damp. Most bulbs thrive in full sun, or at least 5-6 sunny hours daily.

General Planting Info:

Plant bulbs individually by digging a hole for each bulb with a trowel or bulb planter, or place several bulbs on the bottom surface of a larger hole and cover with soil. As planting depths and spacing varies depending on the type of bulb, refer to the cultural information found later in this guide.
Be sure to loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole and work in a handful of organic fertilizer such as Veseys Bulb Fertilizer. Then press each bulb firmly into the soil, top pointing up and fill in the hole. When in doubt as to which way is up on a bulb, plant it on its side and let 'Mother Nature' decide! After planting, water the area well to settle the soil and to start the roots growing. If rainfall is sparse, you may need to water the bulbs once a week to help them get established.

Planting:

Find a location where the soil drains well. If there are still water puddles 5-6 hours after a hard rain scout out another site. Or amend the soil with the addition of organic material to raise the level 2-3" to improve the drainage. Peat moss, compost, ground bark or decomposed manure all work well and are widely available. Dutch irises perform best in soil that provides good drainage. Site your Dutch irises where they will receive full sun.

Dig holes and plant the bulbs 4-5" deep and 3" apart. The bulbs look like small pointed onions. Plant with the pointed end facing upwards.

After planting, water well, gently soaking the soil to settle it around the bulbs. In warmer climates foliage will form in the autumn, winter will bring taller growth and flowers will develop in the spring. In colder regions foliage and flowers will wait until winter's cold has passed and will develop in the spring.

Growing:

When in bloom, feel free to cut iris flowers for spring bouquets. This will not hurt the plants.

After blooming has finished for the season leave the foliage in place; don't cut it off. The leaves will gather sunlight, create food through photosynthesis and strengthen the bulbs for the future. Water as needed during active growth periods; about 1" of moisture per week is a good estimate.

During the summer the leaves will yellow and die back as the plant slips into dormancy. Foliage many be removed at this point. Your Dutch irises will rest for a few months before beginning the next growing cycle.