Iris flower - types of ornamental plants

Irises have been known to mankind for more than one millennium. When the question arises, which flower to plant, most growers prefer them. Irises not only decorate a flower bed and a personal plot, but also serve as a smooth transition from spring to summer. From year to year, these flowers delight those around them with their various colors.

Description of the iris plant

Iris is a flower that is unpretentious to care for. It can be found in the gardens of Europe, at the foot of the mountains in Asia, in the tropical forests of Africa, as well as in North America. The flower does not grow in areas with dry and very cold climates. The plant blooms in spring, some varieties in autumn. Prefers sunny areas, grows poorly in the shade and under trees.

Iris is a plant that fascinates with its abundant flowering

What does it look like

Curly iris looks like an orchid. The description of the iris can be compared to a rainbow, the bud combines several shades. The flower petals are arranged in two rows. They are deployed so that you can see every vein. The first tier is bent to the bottom, and the upper one is raised and forms a dome where the nectar is located.

Leaves

Iris is classified as a perennial plant. The rhizome is highly developed and is located in the upper soil layer. The stems of the plant are branched, growing in a group or singly. Iris leaves, depending on the variety, can be either wide or narrow. In spring, the foliage is light green, by summer it becomes dark green. Some varieties, such as dwarf hybrids, have virtually no leaves. They are grown exclusively for floristry and window sill decoration.

For your information! The stress is placed on the first vowel when it comes to a flower.

Height

By height, plants are divided into three groups:

high (more than 70 cm);
medium-sized (from 40 to 70 cm);
dwarf (up to 40 cm).

Dwarf varieties are divided into miniature (up to 20 cm) and standard (up to 40 cm).

Dwarf species

What colors are there

When a child asks, irises - what kind of plant it is and why it is called that, you can answer that this is all thanks to the unusual and interesting shade of the bud. The magnificent iris color is provided by the presence of two groups of pigments, which are responsible for the dominance of a particular shade. Thanks to anthocyanin, you can enjoy purple, red and purple inflorescences, and the carotenoid colors the buds yellow, orange and pink.

Note! Wild irises can only be blue or yellow.

What are irises

Neomarika walking iris: home care and examples of popular varieties

The flower is common on all continents. It is grown both as a decorative culture and as a raw material for confectionery and perfumery. What irises are, where they grow in the wild, what characteristics they have, the answer depends on the species. There are about 800 varieties in the world. About 60 species grow on the territory of Russia.

Biologists divide irises into two groups:

bearded, which have small hairs on the petals;
beardless, no hairs on the petals.

Supreme Sultan (bearded group)

Field

Field iris grows on sunny plains, covering vast areas. The plant has no bulbs, it only has a rhizome. It is worth digging for planting in the spring, and after a year an inflorescence will appear on it. The steppe flower grows well in any soil, does not need feeding and increased watering.It blooms in the steppe in early June and blooms for a month. After the inflorescences dry up, boxes with seeds are formed in place of the buds. Thanks to them, the flower multiplies.

For your information! Due to the air chambers, the seeds do not sink, so the bushes quickly grow near water bodies.

Iris field

Varietal decorative

Irises are grown on personal plots, flower beds, on balconies. They make up magnificent bouquets and are used in landscape design. Decorative irises are planted along the edges of flower beds, while correctly choosing varieties that are in harmony in color.

Note! Flowers are classified by flowering time, bud shape, stem height.

Garden irises: types and varieties

Types of cacti: varieties of plants without thorns or with leaves

Irises are loved because during flowering they have an amazing appearance. The second name of the iris flower, since it is from the genus of iris. The following groups of irises belong to garden species:

bearded;
Japanese;
dwarf;
Siberian.

Bearded species can often be found in flower beds and gardens. They are frost-resistant, do not need shelter in winter. The plant is resistant to diseases and pests.

Bearded irises

Famous varieties are:

The Supreme Sultan is the tallest among the bearded beauties, reaching up to 100 cm. The upper petals are dark yellow, the lower velvet mahogany colors. Iris blooms from June to July;
Sultan Palace. The buds of the Germanic iris are large, the petals are dark red. Blooms from May to June;
Vizier. The flower is large, rounded with a magnificent corrugation of a raspberry-pomegranate shade with red beards. Grows up to 95 cm;
Champagne Waltz. Flower height 92 cm. White foliage with apricot-yellow corrugated border and red beards.

Champagne Waltz

Dwarf varieties

Small iris is a real find for flower beds and lawns. Its size is no higher than 40 cm. Popular varieties of dwarfs:

Tinker Bell grows up to 15 cm. Broad-linear bluish basal leaves. The bud is yellow or purple in color. Blooms in May;
Pappet Baby is an elegant flower with a blue tint. It has a lilac brown color at the base of the fouls and has copper veins. Height 18 cm;
Sapphire Jam mesmerizes with bright blue sapphire petals with a light blue beard;
Dark Over is a gorgeous large flower of a dark burgundy shade with a copper-yellow beard at the base of the lower petals.

Dark Over

Bulbous irises

Bulbous species can be grown both outdoors and in a flowerpot indoors. There are about 800 varieties. Among them, the most popular are:

Alida is a frost-resistant type. Blooms as soon as the snow melts. The buds are pale blue with yellow and white markings. Does not exceed 10-15 cm;
Katarin Hodkin belongs to the mesh varieties. The upper petals are lilac, the lower ones are similar to the feather of an exotic bird with purple strokes and a yellow spot;
Dunford is a dwarf bulbous representative of the genus. Due to its small size, it has become a favorite in indoor collections. Yellow bud;
Pauline is a small plant that is great for mixborders, rocky gardens and rockeries. Purple bud with intact white spot. It blooms immediately after the snow melts.

Pauline

Note! In order for beautiful flowers to appear on the site, the bulbs must be carefully selected before planting.

Siberian species

Specific Siberian varieties are distinguished by a hollow stem and triangular buds. A plant of small height up to 40 cm, blooms throughout the month. The best representatives of the species include:

Alba is a flowering ornamental shrub up to 45 cm. The bud is pale white in color. On the stem are long xiphoid leaves;
Big Ben is a huge evergreen shrub with long, pointed leaves. It blooms in early spring. The inflorescence is pale lavender;
Super Ego. It has not many brothers of similar colors. The color of the iris changes from one shade of blue to another;
Double Standard.The flower has a violet-lilac color with a rich yellow center, along which stripes are drawn like a brush.

Siberian varieties are resistant to temperature changes and unpretentious in care

Japanese irises

The petals of Japanese iris are arranged horizontally. Breeders have specially bred this species for a humid climate. They are great for growing near ponds and need frequent watering.

Iris xiphoid Kogesho

The best varieties of iris flower of this species include:

Lilac Haze grows up to 85 cm. The bud is double, the petals do not overlap. They are a light lilac shade with purple rays;
Kogesho is a herbaceous plant up to 1 m. Bud with a diameter of 20 cm. Iris of a large white color with purple veins in the center and small yellow spots. Has a short flowering period, up to a month;
Vasily Alferov. Iris bred in Russia, belongs to the frost-resistant species. The inflorescence is deep purple. Velvety petals with bright golden yellow eyes. Blooms in late June for 20 days.

Important! Excess calcium in the soil has a detrimental effect on all Japanese varieties.

Iris negligee Romantic evening

Iris ordinary

Common Iris whales are not demanding on the composition of the soil, frost-resistant and drought-resistant. If there is too much moisture in the soil, the roots will rot. It is not recommended to plant them on heavy clay soils. The common iris grows quickly and requires frequent weeding and loosening of the soil.

Numerous varieties of irises are divided by color: monochromatic (Self), two-tone (Bittone), two-color (Dicolor).

For your information! When the bud's upper petals are lilac, the lower ones are purple or light blue, and the fouls are darker, then they are called Neglecta.

Blue

Celestial flowers stand out in any flower bed and in the front garden. The petals of the bud are colored in various shades of blue. They look harmoniously next to blue and purple flowers. They look spectacular in a bouquet. Popular varieties of this color include:

Honky Tonk Blues;
Dusky Challenger;
Victoria Falls;
Sapphire Dawn;
Baltic Sea.

German iris has many representatives of this color.

Delicate blue flower, variety Victoria Falls

For your information! The blue tint of iris inspired the designers to create the Milavitsa lingerie line.

Purple

Iris of purple coloring are combined with delicate flowers of white and pink tones. The best representatives of this species:

About Town;
Autumn Jester;
Explosive nature;
Lady Vanessa;
Smile;
Night owl;
Amur-Father.

Night owl

White

A white iris flower in a flower bed looks exquisite. Most varieties belong to the bearded group. Some species have small blotches on the petals at the core of a bright tone. Thanks to selection, plants with a unique appearance have appeared. Choose from the following varieties:

White Nights;
Bianca;
Immortality;
Snowflake Lacey;
Lady Snowflake.

Snow Lacey

The black

For lovers of the Gothic, breeders have developed new varieties of dark and black shades. Among them:

Before the Storm;
Night Game;
Black dragon.

Black beauties are light-loving plants. The ideal place for planting them is a well-lit area that is protected from stagnant water and winds.

Variety Before the Storm

The main problems in growing

The main problems faced by gardeners include the lack of flowering. Sometimes the plant suffers from low temperatures at the beginning of winter, when the snow has not yet fallen. Also, unexpected frosts in the spring negatively affect the development of the plant: the roots may freeze slightly. The bush will survive, but the flower buds will not.

Important! Non-hardy varieties need shelter for the winter.

The lack of flowering is affected by a lack of nutrients. It is necessary to feed the killer whales three times:

The first top dressing consists of nitrogen and phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, which are applied in early May. It contributes to the growth of green mass, as well as the correct development of the rhizome.
The second top dressing is applied in a couple of weeks. Potassium and phosphorus are added to the soil to form buds.
The third feeding is carried out 20 days after the end of flowering. During this period, the laying of flower buds and the active growth of new roots begin. Top dressing consists of superphosphate and potassium salts, as well as organic fertilizers.

Note! Strongly overgrown roots impede the flow of nutrients to the buds, they stop developing and do not bloom.

Care Tips

Tips for growing irises from experienced gardeners:

The place for planting matters, because irises can grow in one place for several years. Before planting, it is worth considering the plants growing next to them, they should not create a shadow. Palm-leaved sedge will be a good neighbor.
Faded buds spoil the appearance of the iris garden, so you need to cut them off regularly.
The appearance can be spoiled not only by faded buds, but also by weeds. It is worth getting rid of them as soon as possible, especially since they are carriers of many diseases.

Irises in landscape design

Irises are the favorite flowers of landscape designers and florists. Correctly selected varieties will ensure long flowering, and their aroma will delight others for a long time. By planting different varieties, interesting color transitions and harmonious combinations can be achieved.