Hi, can anyone advise me, please? I've got some Irises to plant, which are a mass of fibrous roots from which shoots are beginning. When I plant them out, should the shoots be well covered with soil, like the roots or should I leave them uncovered and just protect from frost? I've planted Iris before but only from corn/bulb form. Also, my lily bulbs are throwing shoots; how should I treat these when I plant them? Bury the shoots or leave exposed, please? Thanks in advance!
Have you started them inside? Then they need to be hardened gradually. If you've just moved them, I think they'll live whatever you choose to do. I've planted iris too deep and too shallow, and it doesn't seem to affect them much. I've never covered my iris. Bulbs are supposed to be planted three times as deep as they're high. They don't like being dug down too deep. My mother told me they will crawl deeper by themselves if they're planted too shallow. The shoots will probably continue to grow even if they're covered.
Which type of Iris are you planting? Bearded ones should be planted at surface level with roughly 1/2 to 2/3 of the bulb above ground. Any deeper, they will not bloom but will over the years slowly move themselves up to the surface if they don't rot first..then start blooming. The other Iris's types need to be planted about 4" deep. The Lilies should be buried at a depth of 4" also. The little shoot will continue to grow and break the surface when it gets there.
These were part of the plants that I ordered in; new to me! According to the plant instructions; they are either 'Germanica' or 'Pumilla'. Planting depth isn't specified for either. All I can tell you is that they're a newish hybrid 'black' flower; just found proper name: Iris Chrysographes (black form) Thanks.
That is really COOL! Iris, as far as i remember should have the corms,or fibery root, covered but the green growth should be right at soil level.
Your new iris is gorgeous! The chrysographes is like the siberians in the root system, and is planted like Wrennie says. The germanica are the bearded ones that Toni described how to plant. I've put our siberians on top of the soil, and I've drowned them under 15 cm of soil. They still came up and bloomed for me. Amazing species!
Gosh Sharon The anticipation when waiting on that Iris to bloom would be unbearable for me. It is going to be gorgous - judging from the picture. 8) Ooh - I wish ... There I go again - wishlisting - silly me I should adapt my garden rather to fit the circumstances here.
I feel quite a responsibility here with this little plant; hope I can do it justice in it's living conditions! Thanks to everyone and I'll give a progress report in due course!
