Perennial flowers irises: photo and description of varieties, planting and care. Iris bearded blue abyss

For a century and a half of growing irises, many of their varieties have been bred, one of which is the bearded iris. They got their name because of the so-called beards located on the outer parts of the perianth.

On the basis of plants belonging to this species, many hybrids have been bred and they are used in decorative purposes. This variety includes many large-flowered irises. Depending on the height of the peduncle itself, these plants are divided into several subgroups: undersized, reaching a height of 25 to 37 cm; medium-sized - from 37 to 70 cm and tall - from 70 cm and above.

Bearded irises: varieties and varieties

Flower growers usually grow such varieties of bearded irises as:

• Iris Alberta. In this variety, the peduncle is branched, it reaches a height of 60 cm. On 1 plant, 3-5 or less often only 7 flowers can bloom, which have a purple color and are odorless. Rarely the flowers are white. The leaves are wide and have a purple-violet hue at the base. This plant variety begins to bloom in late May - early June. This iris tolerates winter well and is resistant to bacteriosis. True, it is also not without its shortcomings - the ends of its leaves often dry out, and their wrapper swells. This flower looks great in front gardens or on rocky hills.
• Iris is leafless. It reaches a height of 50 cm, 3-5 bright purple flowers bloom on it, with a slight smell. The leaves are sickle-shaped, which die off with the approach of winter and grow again in the spring, after the peduncles, which is why this type of plant got its name. Often used to breed medium-sized varieties. It begins to bloom in mid-May, it is not afraid of winter. In many regions in nature in our time begins to disappear.

• Iris is pale. This species belongs to tall and reaches a length of up to 80 cm. Its flowers are pale blue in color, with a pleasant strong aroma, on very short pedicels. The leaves are thin, dry and rustling, have a gray color with a waxy coating. This variety blooms in early June, often used to produce iron, that is, flower oil. This variety is afraid of waterlogging, it is necessary to observe the measure when watering.
• Iris dwarf. Most often found in the south of Ukraine and the North Caucasus. Its peduncle is only 3 to 5 cm high. The flowers are light yellow, blue-violet or very rarely white, they have no aroma. The leaves reach a length of 10 cm. This type of plant blooms in early May and is the ancestor of dwarf irises.

• Iris motley. It reaches a height of 45 to 55 cm. It blooms on it from 3 to 6 two-color red-brown flowers closer to the edge and yellowish inside the flowers. The leaves are wide, sometimes curved in the form of a sickle. Starts to bloom at the end May - early June. It perfectly transmits its species characteristics to offspring.
• Iris horned. Similar to the leafless iris, it has a thin branched peduncle, on which small dark purple flowers form. The leaves are straight and narrow, blooms in late May - early June.
• Iris Florentine. It has a high branched peduncle, it reaches a length of 70 cm, on which from 5 to 8 flowers are formed, pale blue in color, with a pleasant aroma. The leaves are gray and large. It blooms in late May, reproduces only vegetatively. It needs to be covered for the winter.

Bearded irises: photo

Read also:

• Flowerbed of continuous flowering
• Unpretentious flowers for giving
• Why don't irises bloom?

Bearded irises: planting and care

You need to plant this variety of irises in a sunny place that is protected from the wind. The soil they like is heavy, sour and damp, the best option- alkaline or slightly acidic earth. If the soil is very waterlogged, then it is necessary to carry out drainage. These plant varieties also grow well on stony soils and high beds.

Fertilize the soil generously organic fertilizers you can not, it can cause various diseases. In the process of planting, you can not bury the roots deep into the ground, otherwise the iris will not bloom, because it will take a lot of strength to push its rhizomes to the surface, and in the worst case, it will rot and die. Before planting, you need to dig a small hole, and in the center pour a small mound, on which the roots will be located. After the rhizome, you need to sprinkle 1-2 cm with sand, and the hole itself - with soil and lightly compact. The best orientation of rhizomes during planting is south, so the roots warm up better, which is the prevention of various diseases.

If the garden area is small, then you do not need to plant plants too closely. Crowding will weaken the plants, leading to the development of diseases and the rapid closing of the leaves.

High varieties of bearded irises should be planted at a distance of 50 cm from each other, and dwarf ones - 30 cm. If irises grow in one place for a long time, then regular fertilizing with mineral fertilizers should be carried out. In early spring, you can apply nitroammophoska, and then only phosphorus-potassium fertilizers (2 top dressing should be carried out before the buds appear, and 3 - after flowering). An excess of nitrogen activates the growth of roots, which makes them vulnerable to winter and severe frosts.

Bearded irises should be weeded regularly, but not deep, because their roots are located almost on the surface. Weed these flowers from the 2nd half of August better with hands. Irises do not need abundant watering, it is better to water them altogether only as the soil dries out. Watering is required when transplanting or during a too dry period.

One of important points in the cultivation of bearded irises is their rejuvenation, namely, transplantation and thinning of the roots. So they will gain additional resistance to diseases.

Diseases of bearded irises and their treatment

The most dangerous disease for plants is bacteriosis or soft root rot. First of all, the leaves change their color, then their ends dry and turn brown. In the part of the stem from where they grow, rot is formed, which subsequently passes to the rhizomes. The leaf fan rots and falls off, comes from the roots bad smell and they turn into a mushy mass.

In order to avoid the appearance of this disease, when transplanting, it is necessary to inspect all the material, and treat the sections of the plant with a strong solution of potassium permanganate. It is better to dry the roots of transplanted plants in the sun during the day, because this bacterium is afraid of sunlight.

If the disease is found in a growing iris, then with a clean sharp knife you need to cut off the affected area, moisten the cut itself and sprinkle on top of the Comet powder, which is used for household purposes. Shallow burying of the roots during planting and the introduction of potash and phosphorus fertilizers into the soil with trace elements will increase the resistance of these plants to diseases.

Another disease of bearded irises is leaf spot. It can form due to excessively moist soil. The outer leaves are affected first. Spots form on them, which gradually fill the entire surface. Such leaves should be removed immediately, but only if they are easily separated from the roots. It is not recommended to touch strong leaves, in order to avoid the appearance of wounds through which pathogens of bacteriosis penetrate.

A good protection against this disease is spraying irises with a solution of "Arceride" or "Polychoma" 2-3 times before the development of the disease.

Relatively rare and relative new disease bearded irises - this is scorch. In the middle of the growing season, the leaves turn brown, dry and bend, and the roots become hard and dry. The cause of this disease has not yet been identified, as well as measures to combat it. Sick plants must be dug out together with a clod of earth and burned, and the place of growth should be treated with formalin or lime.

Preparing bearded irises for winter

Bearded irises tolerate severe frosts well with stable snow cover. But sudden changes in temperature, both in winter and in autumn-winter periods, adversely affect plants. Spring frosts are especially dangerous after warm days, at a time when the flowers have already departed from hibernation. Prolonged autumn rains also have a negative effect on irises, because they must enter the wintering dry.

If the plants are provided with proper care, they will develop and grow well. At this time, free space in the flower bed can be planted with small-bulbous summer plants that do not self-sow. This will be a great addition to flowers, but even without this, blooming irises https://site/dom-i-xobbi/czvetovodstvo/sadovye-tsvety/pochemu-ne-tsvetut-irisy is a fantastic sight. The main plus is that they do not need to be planted every year, you can just cover them well for the winter.

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Recently, lovers of perennial iris flowers are increasingly cultivating beardless varieties. But fans of the classics prefer the cultivation of bearded irises - beautiful and strict flowers with a massive petal in the form of a "tongue" or "beard", which is a distinctive feature of this plant, its "highlight". By grouping varieties of irises by flowering time, you can provide decorativeness from May to July.

In nature, there is a flower that smoothly leads us from spring to summer. First, in early spring, wild irises bloom, they are replaced by “bearded” dwarfs and Spuria, and by the end of May the garden shimmers with all the colors of the rainbow thanks to the numerous varieties of tall bearded irises. In June, marking the arrival of summer, we are delighted with their elegance Siberian and Japanese.

The perennial plant iris belongs to the iris family, or iris. There are about 200 species growing in Europe, Asia, Africa, North America. In the XX century. irises have received wide recognition from flower growers in most countries, and in terms of the number of varieties (more than 35 thousand), this culture has come to one of the first places.

You can judge how the iris looks even from the most ancient frescoes. The history of the flower goes back centuries. Irises were cultivated in the gardens of the Egyptian pharaohs. AT Ancient Greece they planted entire fields. Because of the variety of colors, the plant was given the name "iris", which in Greek means "rainbow". The ancient Hellenes were in awe of irises and considered them messengers of the golden-winged goddess Irida, the messenger of the gods, the interpreter of their will.

Irises attracted people not only with their beautiful flowers. They were valued as medicinal plants, perfumery and confectionery raw materials.

irises- perennial rhizomatous plants. The rhizome is located parallel to the soil level at a shallow depth and in bearded irises comes to the surface. rhizome containing stock nutrients, consists of annual units. The newly formed links end with a bunch of sessile leaves that die off annually. The leaves are broadly or narrowly xiphoid, straight or crescent-curved, most often collected in a fan-shaped bundle. They are usually light green in spring, darkening in summer.

And what is the difference between the description of bearded irises hybrid varieties? In these plants, the leaves are usually gray with a wax coating and, as a rule, persist until late autumn. Therefore, irises decorate the garden not only during flowering.

Peduncles branch and carry from 1 to 10 flowers or more. The number of branches depends on the species and variety. The height of the stem in different species varies greatly - from 15 cm in dwarf iris to 2 m in marsh.

The flowers, distinguished by extraordinary grace and sophistication, consist of 6 perianth lobes arranged in two tiers: three outer petals are bent down, and three inner petals are raised up and form a dome. Perianth segments are deployed in such a way that any detail of each "petal" is visible. What do iris flowers look like? bearded varieties? On their lower petals are soft bristly outgrowths resembling a beard, which gave the name to the group.

The iris flower is remarkable for its sparkling, mysterious brilliance of the petals, especially noticeable in the oblique rays of the sun or under electric lighting. This is due to the peculiar structure of cells that focus light, like miniature optical lenses. No wonder in the old days some gems of iridescent color were called irises.

The color of the flowers is unusually diverse. There are solemnly velvety, mysterious black irises, but no less mysterious is the sparkling brilliance of white and light blue flowers, reminiscent of the transparency of ice or crystal. And between white and black - a whole range of blue, purple, pink, yellow, reddish and even brown shades. Neither painting nor photography fully conveys the play of color, texture, graceful lines of these flowers. No wonder irises are compared with.

See how the iris looks in the photo to once again enjoy the beauty of this plant:

Conditions for growing bearded irises

Now it's time to learn how irises are grown on household plots. For hybrid bearded irises, select sunny places protected from strong winds. They can tolerate light partial shade from trees. Most varieties are very large flowers, for which gusts of wind with rain are especially dangerous. Therefore, during the period of mass flowering in windy, rainy weather, garter of peduncles is required.

Another important condition for growing irises - the presence of light, loamy soil. If the soil on the site is heavy, it needs to be improved by adding sand and peat. AT acidic soils wood ash is added. Before planting, the site should be dug up on a shovel bayonet and carefully remove all weeds. The rotted manure is applied to a depth of 20-25 cm without mixing it with the ground.

Irises are afraid of excessive moisture, so they grow best in areas with low standing. ground water. However, during the period of budding and flowering, they show an increased need for water. Good watering at this time helps to prolong flowering and creates favorable conditions for pollination. Watering is best done in the evening.

The faded flowers of bearded irises are removed, and the flower stalks are completely broken out at the end of flowering. In late autumn, the leaves are shortened to 10 cm. Plants are covered with a small layer of mulch for the winter. Frost-resistant varieties are covered more carefully. In the spring, after the snow has melted, the compacted winter shelter is carefully stirred. It is completely removed in early or mid-April, depending on weather conditions. Bearded irises, despite their southern origin, are quite good compared to other perennials. spring frosts with a drop in temperature to -5 ... -7 ° С.

How to plant irises and how to care for them

And how to plant irises in order to ensure their violent growth? Plants propagate by rhizomes. To do this, the root is dug up, divided into planting units, the so-called divisions, each of which consists of 1-3 annual links. Before planting irises, root sections are treated with crushed charcoal or potassium permanganate solution.

When is the best time to plant irises so that they sprout on time? Optimal time for planting irises - 2 weeks after flowering. With a clod of earth, they can be transplanted at any time. However, late planting (later September 10-15) leads to poor rooting of plants. When planting, it is important that the delenka is not buried. The rhizome is located almost at the level of the soil surface. A mound of earth is poured at the bottom of the hole and the roots are evenly spread along its slopes, covered with earth and pressed tightly with hands. Plentifully watered with water, once again check whether the delenka is planted firmly enough. The rhizome should be horizontal, and the leaf fan should be slightly sloping. Tall and medium-sized irises are planted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other, and undersized - 15-20 cm.

Landing links are positioned so that there is room for "movement". The root system of irises is directed forward (along the growth of the rhizome), and the planted delenka will continue to grow with that part where the leaf fan is located. When nesting planting irises, the plane of the leaves should be directed across the outlined circle.

If the soil is clayey and does not pass water well, it is recommended to plant the delenka on a “pillow” of sand or fine gravel so that the water does not stagnate and the rhizome does not rot. When planting, the rhizome is not buried, but only sprinkled with a layer of earth no more than 2-3 cm - over time, it will come to the surface on its own.

After planting irises, when caring for plants, top dressing is carried out at least three times. Does not exist universal recommendations how to care for irises in terms of fertilizer, but one rule must be firmly remembered: excessive feeding is detrimental to plants. The first top dressing is carried out in the spring, immediately after removing the shelter (nitrogen-phosphorus - 3: 1), the second after 2-3 weeks (nitrogen-potassium - 1: 1). At the end of flowering, nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (3:1:3) is added. The last top dressing is very important for a good flowering of irises next year, it should not be skipped. Top dressing is carried out at the rate of 10 liters of solution per 1 m2, or for 6 iris bushes. During the summer, the soil around the plants is lightly sprinkled 1-3 times with ash, which is not only top dressing, but also repels pests and prevents diseases.

Here you can see photos of planting and caring for irises of various groups:

Now that you know how to care for irises, check out the most popular varieties.

Varieties of bearded irises with photos, names and flowering periods

Bearded irises are divided into 3 groups according to height: undersized (25-36 cm), medium-sized (37-70 cm), tall (more than 70 cm).

According to the timing of flowering, varieties are divided into early, mid-early, medium, medium-late and late. The beginning of flowering of each of these subgroups may vary in different years depending on weather conditions. For example, in the Moscow region early varieties bearded irises bloom in mid-May and bloom until the end of the month. Medium-early bloom in the last five days of May and finish flowering in the first decade of June. Medium and mid-late varieties that prevail in our gardens bloom throughout June. Late varieties that bloom in early July are rarely grown.

According to the color of the flower, irises are divided into 13 classes: white, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, red-violet, black, two-tone, two-tone, bordered, iridescent.

It should be noted that green color irises have a yellowish or brownish tint. There are no varieties with a scarlet, pure red color: irises have brown, terracotta, cherry shades. pink irises referred to as a light red color. Brown is classified as dark orange. Black has blue, purple, brown, dark cherry shades and is characterized by a special depth and velvety.

Below you will see photos and names of varieties of bearded irises that have bloomed since mid-May, as well as read their descriptions.

"Arkady Raikin". This variety of iris got its name in honor of the great Russian comedian. Peduncle 80-100 cm, strong, short-branched, 5-7-flowered. Flower 12-13 cm, delicate reddish-pink color, the outer lobes are semi-drooping, the inner ones are slightly corrugated along the edges, the aroma is strong.

"Beverly Hills". The height of the bush is 50 cm, the peduncles are 80-85 cm. In the inflorescence there are 3-4 very showy flowers with a diameter of 17 cm. The upper perianth lobes are light pink, very wavy, the lower ones are paler, soaring. The beard is pink.

Blue Staccato. The height of the bush is 55-60 cm, peduncles - 90-100 cm. In the inflorescence 4-5 very showy flowers with a diameter of 16 cm.

Pay attention to the photo of bearded iris flowers of this variety - the upper perianth lobes are blue-blue, wavy, slightly fringed, the lower ones are white with a blurry blue border, the beard is golden yellow:

"Burgomaster". The height of the peduncles is 100-110 cm. There are 5-7 flowers in the inflorescence. The outer lobes are purple-lilac with a brownish border, the inner ones are yellowish-cream. The beauty of the flower is emphasized by graceful corrugation.

"Guards". Peduncle 125-140 cm, strong, long-branched, 10-12-flowered. Flower 14-15 cm, sunny yellow with an orange beard, aroma strong, honey.

Canada Gold. Peduncle 90-105 cm, strong, short-branched. The flower is light golden yellow with an orange beard, the aroma is strong. It blooms profusely, the bush grows quickly.

"Supreme Sultan". It has a powerful bush with strong peduncles up to 120 cm high and more. It has the largest flowers to date (more than 20 cm in diameter). This variety of bearded iris belongs to the two-colored: the inner lobes are bronze-yellow, the outer ones are red-brown, velvety. It is distinguished by excellent corrugation and unusual bubble edges of the petals.

"Kentaki Derby". The height of the bush is 50 cm, the peduncles are 80-90 cm. In the inflorescence there are 5-6 flowers with a diameter of 16 cm. The perianth segments are light lemon-yellow, wavy, with fringed edges, on the lower ones there is a creamy white spot in the center. The beard is golden.

The first in the list of garden favorites can be safely put bearded irises, their main distinguishing feature is a fluffy strip located along the central vein of the outer and sometimes inner flower petals.

Intensive breeding work with bearded irises began in early XIX century in Europe. garden varieties bearded irises obtained by crossing eight types of iris: German iris (Iris germanica), motley (Iris variegata), pale (Iris pallida), leafless, Cypriot, Mesopotamian, Kashmir, Trojan. Therefore, bearded irises are still often called Germanic irises in commercial labeling. This outdated name has now been replaced by another, which very accurately reflects the essence - hybrid iris (Iris hybrida hort.), Because all varieties of bearded irises are hybrids obtained as a result of multiple crossings ( artificial pollination). This is truly a flower self made”, a masterpiece created by man in union with nature.

In addition to the border, drawings from strokes different color, complex combinations of different colors, turning into each other, many modern varieties have a specific texture of the petals. She creates special visual effects, giving pastel varieties an alabaster haze or waxy translucency, and dark ones a velvety depth. Irises, like daylilies, have varieties with a "diamond coating" that sparkle in the sun or shimmer in the summer twilight.
In bearded irises, a thick perennial rhizome is located horizontally flush with the soil, long cord-like roots extend from it, forming a fibrous root system. The xiphoid leaves, covered with a bluish wax coating, are folded like a fan. An iris flower has three perianth lobes: those that look up are called "standards", those that look down are called "fouls".

At vintage varieties iris fouls are narrow, similar to the protruding tongue of a dog. Modern cultivars have wide, rounded falls, domed or crowned standards, and various shapes corrugation. A distinctive feature of irises of recent decades are wide fluffy beards, which in a group of varieties turn into colored "horns", "spoons" or "frills".

The color of the flowers has also reached an amazing variety. But, despite the deliberate efforts of hybridizers, until the iris is uniquely red, numerous attempts to get it led to the creation a large number red-burgundy varieties. Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that the modern range of irises covers the entire range of colors, including black.

According to the American Iris Society, the leader and legislator of modern bearded iris breeding, there are over 80,000 varieties today. In the AIS classification, irises are divided into six garden groups, which differ in the height of the peduncle, flower size and flowering time. To choose the right plants for your garden, you should get to know them better.

(table)

To describe the color features of bearded irises, a number of terms have been adopted:
plikata - on a light background, a pattern of dark dots and strokes, merging along the edge into a border;
luminata - patterned highlights on a dark background, standards are lighter;
blend (iridescent) - two or more colors smoothly transition into each other;
amena - white or lighter standards in a two-color flower, in modern varieties "reverse amena" occurs when the standards are darker than the lower falls;
splash ("torn color") - against the background of the main color, numerous strokes and strokes of other colors.

GARDEN USE

Originators - this is the name of the creators of new varieties - in the process of working with the plant endow the flower with new properties. This is a special kind of creativity, aimed at finding a new visual image: in color, proportions and form. Therefore, figuratively speaking, all garden irises are works of art.

The most hardy and winter-hardy

The lower the iris, the faster it blooms, and therefore you will be the first to be greeted dwarf irises. Yes, they are not so small, 40 cm is an excellent growth for flowering in the first decade of May. "Dwarfs" (SDB) are higher than ground cover, small bulbous and perennials that are just getting out of the ground, but on a par with or slightly lower than daffodils and tulips. They hibernate without shelter, they are undemanding to the soil, they do not need watering, the heat of our summer is enough for them to multiply and bloom profusely. That is why, despite their low growth, dwarf irises have become one of the most fashionable and in demand for cultivation in temperate climates.

Low flowers in single and group planting look organic among the stones and ground cover plants on an alpine hill, bringing to the composition color accents. The fantastic variety of colors of "dwarfs" allows you to create amazing combinations both based on contrast and within the same color range. Plant dwarf irises along with tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, miniature primroses, and eternal problem- the bare earth under the bulbous ones - will be forgotten forever.

Abundant and early flowering, unpretentiousness and fertility put dwarf irises out of competition when creating extended borders and flowering arrays of a large area, on lawns, in near-trunk circles of trees, on sunny slopes. In the May garden, barely covered with the first greenery, a bright carpet of blooming irises will attract everyone's attention, and at the end of flowering it will become almost invisible. Iris leaves, pointed with a bluish bloom, retain their decorative effect throughout the season, but they are small in height, so they do not block other plants, being content with the role of a tactful background. It is possible to divide and transplant dwarf irises even during flowering; after a warm summer, they often bloom again in August - September. "Dwarfs" can be grown in container culture, on balconies and loggias, they feel good in pots and are easy to force out in the cold season.

The most friendly

In early June, the flowering relay passes to medium-sized bearded irises up to 70 cm high, this group consists of Intermedia (IB), Table (MTB) and Border (BB) irises. The flowers of the irises of this group can be very large and numerous, but due to the lower height of the peduncles, they are resistant to the wind. Table irises, as their name suggests, will decorate not only the garden, but also the house. Their graceful flowers on strong peduncles are ideal for making bouquets. A cut flower opens all the buds, which allows it to retain its decorative effect in a vase for a long time. Moreover, such a bouquet can bloom for you by the New Year or March 8 - medium-sized irises lend themselves perfectly to distillation and are able to fully bloom indoors in winter.
The flowering of the newest varieties of foreign selection is simply amazing by the size, shape of the flowers, and the amazing play of shades. However, being plants of southern origin, they may require additional attention during the period of adaptation to new climatic conditions. This is especially true for peach-pink colors, they are most vulnerable to frost.
In early June, in the off-season, when the primroses have already departed, and the annuals and perennials are still preparing to bloom, it is the medium-sized irises that will add the missing colors to the garden palette. Medium-sized irises winter stably, grow rapidly, forming lush bushes with many peduncles.

This is the most versatile class of irises, beautiful as in single landing, and in all forms of group.

In addition to creating borders and large arrays, medium-sized irises are best suited for planting on slopes, their powerful root system will hold the soil layer and prevent the deformation of the relief.

"High genre"

Tall Irises (TV)- born soloists. By growing such a meter-long handsome man near a house or a path, you will give yourself the incomparable pleasure of watching the birth of a flower, changing its outlines and shades as it grows. An iris bush can produce 10-15 peduncles, each of which can open up to 25 flowers at the same time. Of particular interest is the collection of irises for connoisseurs of aromas, because the variety of smells in different varieties of bearded irises is no less than the range of colors and shapes.

Jasmine, peonies, foxglove, daylily, geyhera and onions blooming at the same time will serve as an excellent backdrop for irises. The outstanding decorative qualities of many modern varieties with massive peduncles, large corrugated flowers will be emphasized by the discreet "accompaniment" of decorative leaf crops (chistetsa, sage, hosts, bergenia, wormwood, cuff, stonecrop and young).
In all classes of bearded irises, there are varieties capable of re-blooming, this property is called remontant and is indicated by the abbreviation (RE). But in the middle lane, this is more of a disadvantage than an advantage. In our climate, re-blooming in autumn is very irregular and occurs in dwarf and medium-sized irises after a very warm summer. All remontant varieties in autumn they continue to grow actively, not having time to enter a state of rest before the onset of frost, which is necessary for a successful wintering. Therefore, re-blooming irises are the least cold-resistant and difficult to grow group of varieties.
Varieties look harmonious in group planting pastel colors or just similar in color. Be especially attentive to two-color irises, they rarely “go” to plant in a single array. In the area of contrasting combinations A lot of possibilities are opened up by a non-linear arrangement of curtains of a sufficiently large area; it is desirable to arrange groups from an odd number of varieties.

The June bloom of tall bearded irises is truly magnificent! Their advantages are obvious, and the variety of varieties will satisfy the most demanding connoisseur. The choice depends entirely on your tastes and the location of the garden. I will only note that high (TV) is the most demanding class of irises in terms of growing conditions.

The most unpretentious and resistant to cold, pests and diseases are the irises of the old classic varieties, bred in the 19th and early 20th centuries. However, with all their endurance, they are significantly inferior to modern varieties in terms of decorative qualities. Beginning flower growers should pay attention first of all to the varieties of domestic selection, one of the main priorities of which was the breeding of varieties that are most resistant to cold and disease.

SELECTION OF PLANTING MATERIAL

The planting unit of the bearded iris, the so-called "delepka", is a segment of a thick rhizome with roots extending from it and a fan of leaves, which are shortened to a length of 10-15 cm. High Quality have well-marked kidneys on the sides. You can plant irises from May to September, so for mass sale planting material arrives in early spring. Wherever you buy irises, be sure to take the delenka in your hands and carefully inspect the plant. Yellowing of a pair of outer leaves is quite acceptable, but if softened areas of the rhizome, mold or spots are found, you should refrain from purchasing.

Bearded irises are very sensitive to excess moisture. Humidity, especially in combination with heat, is detrimental to planting material. Mature rhizomes are not afraid of drying and can be stored in a dry and cool place for up to 2 months. This feature has contributed widespread culture of bearded irises, because delenki perfectly tolerates mailing. Therefore, the most rational way to purchase planting material that is healthy and appropriate for the variety is to contact collectors.

The largest association of iris lovers, as well as breeders and competent producers of planting material is the Russian Iris Society. Within the framework of this non-profit association of flower growers, exhibitions, training seminars, official registration of new varieties are held, and the purchase of planting material of Russian and foreign selection is coordinated. Anyone can become a member of the ROI, the association maintains an official website (http//rusiris.narod.ru) and annually publishes the bulletin "Irises of Russia" with an overview of the most significant events in modern world irises, articles on agricultural technology and selection of these plants. Company address: 129110 Moscow, st. Gilyarovsky, 36-23.

What is important to take into account when purchasing planting material from private collections?

The level of collection management is largely evidenced by the catalog - a list of proposed varieties with a description that informs you as much as possible about the properties of the variety. Be sure to indicate the class of the variety according to the height of the peduncle. The name is followed by the name of the breeder, the year of registration of the variety, a description of the color, features and awards received.
The times when you could basically dream of new selections are over. Now we recklessly flip through catalogs, jumping from site to site in search of interesting varieties. But the greater the choice, the more difficult it is to make it. To lay and maintain a solid foundation for an iris garden will allow one "golden" rule - first of all, choose award-winning varieties.
Collectors who value their reputation and circle of customers offer a system of discounts, bonuses, guarantees and order approvals, following the world practice of offering planting material. Including its unwritten law: the older the variety, the lower its price. The high cost of the latest varieties is explained not only by their outstanding decorative qualities, but also by the number of plants themselves. At the irises new variety it reproduces only vegetatively, that is, by dividing one "original" plant obtained from a seed, therefore, by the time the variety is officially registered, the number of plants - its carriers is small, and it is customary to charge the highest price for the right to own them. For reference: the price of varieties of the current year among the luminaries of the American selection ranges from 30 to 50 dollars.

GROWING IRIS

Selecting a landing site

In order for the flowering to be regular and plentiful, the site for planting bearded irises should be as warm, light as possible, and when planting tall irises, be sure to be protected from the wind. Bearded irises do not tolerate excessive moisture, so flooded lowlands are not for them; in areas with high groundwater, planting is possible on raised ridges.

Soil preparation

The best soil for irises is light loam. Clay soils can be improved by adding sand and peat, acidic ones can be neutralized with dolomite flour, clay and well-rotted compost can be added to sandy ones. The soil under the irises should pass water and air well. In the fight for porosity, all means are good - coarse sand, crushed brick, fine limestone, and charcoal will do.

Excess nitrogen reduces winter hardiness and increases the risk of bacterial infections, so organic additives (completely rotted compost or manure humus) can be applied in small quantities to the lower soil layer, to the depth of thin roots, avoiding contact with a thick rhizome.

To obtain large plants of exhibition quality (especially tall irises), they practice planting on two-layer raised ridges. The bottom layer of soil consists of compost with the addition of dolomite flour, mineral fertilizers long-acting or phosphorus-potassium complex, upper layer ridges (10-15 cm) - sand.

planting

You can plant irises and transplant with a clod of earth from May to September, best time- July, as at this time the active growth of new roots begins. Planting young delenok should begin with disinfection. To do this, it is enough to withstand them for 15-30 minutes. in a pink solution of potassium permanganate. If the weather is sunny, put the delenki in the sun for several days so that the rhizome is illuminated from all sides. Such a "tan" destroys pathogenic bacteria and contributes to better survival and the formation of flower buds.

The perennial rhizome should remain on the soil surface when planted. Make a hole with a scoop, fill the bottom with a mound of earth (and best of all a mixture of sand and wood ash). Keep the rhizome flush with the soil surface, spread the roots along the sides of the mound, as if planting a delenka astride the mound. Backfill the hole, pressing the soil tightly around the roots with your hands. Water generously to make sure the delenka does not fall. It is not necessary to water the plantings anymore, it is important that all planted plants maintain an upright position, and the rhizome is not buried. Planted delenki can be supported from the side of the leaves with sticks or stones, after 2-3 weeks, new growing roots will provide the plant with proper contact with the soil.

And the last step, optional, but very far-sighted, is the installation of a label with the name of the variety. A disposable plastic knife will serve as such a label. Write the name of the variety with an indelible marker and stick it next to the plant.

The taller the iris, the more space it needs. And the more often you plant irises, the sooner you will have to plant the plants. When planting irises in groups, it is desirable to place the plants at a distance from each other: for tall irises 30-40 cm, for medium-sized ones - 15-20, for dwarf ones - 10-15 cm. In the process of growth, bearded irises move, the rhizome moves forward along the soil surface, therefore, during curb planting, all divisions should look in one direction, it is better to orient the cut on the rhizome to the southeastern sector, so the rhizome will be better illuminated and warmed up. When nesting, delenki are placed with slices towards the center.

CARE OF BEARDED IRIS

In the spring, after the snow melts, it may seem that the irises have died, but do not rush to conclusions. If the rhizome is hard, after 1-2 weeks the iris will turn lush green. Treat the iris and the surrounding soil with ash or one of the fungicides. Wood ash for irises is both a hygiene product and a fertilizer; it is applied several times a season.

Most often, the upper part of the rhizome with a flower bud freezes out. Cut the damaged area to a solid healthy tissue as soon as possible. Iris renewal buds are laid on the sides of the rhizomes, so even a radically “operated” iris has a chance of survival. Fresh cuts on the rhizome should always be disinfected. Here are the remedies from the vast experience of practitioners; mixture of sulfur and charcoal, brilliant green, fukortsin, potassium permanganate, metronidazole powder. Try to provide the rhizomes with maximum illumination, solar ultraviolet - the best remedy fight against bacterial infections.

The need for bearded irises in moisture is covered by the amount of natural precipitation, they do not need regular watering, watering is desirable in dry summers for tall irises during the flowering period. In the non-chernozem zone, the development and winter hardiness of plants can be stimulated by fertilizing. In spring, nitrogen-phosphorus (3:1), during budding - nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (1:1:1), 2-3 weeks after flowering - phosphorus-potassium (1:1). Fertilizers are applied to moist soil, preventing granules from getting on the rhizome.
Disease prevention and protection

The main care for irises comes down to disease prevention. The occurrence of rot caused by various types bacteria, contribute to dampness, excess organic matter, thickened plantings and long-term cultivation in one place. When a disease is detected, there is only one way to fight: the affected part of the plant is cut out, the rest is treated with fungicidal agents (see above).

An effective measure for the prevention and control of rot various origins is the introduction into the soil under irises of preparations of live bacteria (Trichodermin, Gliocladin), which suppress the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Spring sowing in areas intended for summer planting of irises, annual green manure crops (white mustard, phacelia), followed by planting them to a depth of about 20 cm, will improve the soil and provide irises with optimal nutrition.

In the second half of summer on the foliage of irises you can see brown spots and yellowing ends. Spotting caused by various pathogens does not directly threaten the life of the plant, but spoil the appearance and can affect winter hardiness. To keep the foliage healthy will help: regular preventive spraying of foliage with fungicides (foundazol, "Maxim",

0.2% copper oxychloride), spacious planting, pre-winter leaf pruning (and even subsequent whitewashing with lime).

Wintering

Irises of domestic selection and time-tested foreign varieties, which have been grown for a long time in Russia, are distinguished by the greatest winter hardiness. middle lane. For most irises, 30 cm of snow is sufficient frost protection. The most vulnerable are the novelties of the world selection of tall irises. The potential of their winter hardiness and methods of shelter have to be established empirically.

Most of the dwarf and medium-sized irises in the garden near Moscow can winter without shelter. In high irises in November, before the cold weather, the rhizomes are covered with earth by 8-10 cm, and when the soil is seized with frost, they are covered with spruce branches or any breathable material on top.

Most reliable way shelters of bearded irises are "dry wintering".

In rainy autumn, a low hard canopy is installed above the irises so that the soil remains dry and the shelter is blown through. With the onset of the first frost, the foliage is cut off at a height of 10 cm, the plants are sprayed with a fungicide and covered with lutrasil over the canopy.

A small number of plants can be covered with mesh plastic boxes and lutrasil or caps from plastic containers with holes at the bottom. Any method that allows you to keep the air circulation under the shelter is good.

It has long gained popularity due to its unusual appearance and unpretentiousness. They practically do not require care, even an inexperienced gardener can cope with growing. Many varieties of this plant have been bred. In order not to get confused in such a variety, it is necessary to study in advance irises, varieties with photos and names. This will help create spectacular garden to the envy of all the neighbors.

Varieties of irises

Iris is a perennial unpretentious plant, which differs unusual shape and flower color. It is suitable for growing in open areas, flooded sunlight. A distinctive feature of the flowers is their charming delicate aroma. Therefore, they are often used in the perfume industry.

Wild-growing irises today can be found in meadows, in the steppe or on sheer cliffs. Under conditions, about five hundred different varieties, which are suitable for cultivation in personal plots. They can be divided into several large groups:

• bearded;
• dwarf;
• bulbous;
• Siberian;
• marsh;
• Japanese.

In European countries, it is customary to divide these plants into 10 - 15 categories. Separately, border, Californian and some other species are distinguished. To decide which of them will take root better on your site, carefully study the irises, their varieties with photos and names.

bearded irises

Iris bearded is considered one of the most common varieties of plants. Its distinctive feature is the presence of fine hairs on the lower petals. They have a more saturated color compared to the general tone of the flower. Among the most spectacular varieties are:

This is just a small part of the variety on the market today. When choosing, pay attention to the fact that the flowers are in harmony with neighboring specimens and fit into the overall design of the site.

The height of such varieties can reach 80 cm, so you should not plant them in close proximity to photophilous low-growing plants.

dwarf irises

Iris dwarf differs from its counterparts in its small stature. The height of the peduncles does not exceed 40 cm. For most varieties, this parameter is 20 cm at all. They will be ideal for decorating small compact flower beds. Among the most popular varieties are:

Dwarf irises do well in light, permeable soils. If the soil in your garden is heavy, then add sand to it before planting.

bulbous irises

Everyone is used to the fact that irises are rhizomatous plants. Modern specialists have managed to breed several varieties growing from bulbs. They are distinguished by unusually early flowering. They can be compared to snowdrops. As soon as the snow melts, the first flowers appear. There are three main types:

Bulbous irises look good in a flower bed with crocuses, galanthus and so on. They will be ideal for alpine slides.

Such varieties can be grown in pots and large planters. They will be an excellent decoration of verandas and arbors.

Siberian irises

Photos of Siberian irises are impressive. They are distinguished by the extraordinary beauty of the flowers. The value of this species is also in the fact that the foliage of the plant has a rich green color throughout the season. The most spectacular varieties are:

Such varieties look spectacular along the banks of improvised reservoirs, in large ones. Groups of such flowers can decorate the lawn, which will give the landscape an unusual look.

swamp irises

Iris marsh or iris grows everywhere in our country. The leaves of this species are sword-shaped. Their length can reach two meters. This species does well in partial shade. Therefore, such flowers can be planted along fences or near trees with a not too dense crown. Among the most popular varieties are:

Having studied these varieties of irises with photos and names, we can conclude that they are ideal for group plantings. With help different types irises can create spectacular flower beds.

Japanese irises

Japanese iris has orchid-shaped flowers. Their size can vary from 15 to 25 cm. In Japan, such plants are planted so that they can be admired from a height. From this angle, they look the most impressive.

The plants are large, so when planting between them, it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least 30 cm. The most popular varieties:

After studying the photos of the varieties of irises, you can choose the right planting material that is suitable for your type of soil. If you choose instances with different terms flowering, you can admire the beauty of flowers all summer long.

Irises bloom in the garden - video