Iris

The world of Irises is vast! There are so many Iris groups, Iris societies, discussions, cultivars, and in-depth information about these plants. This is not my expertise, but I will do my best to make this page better and more informative over time. For now, I'll stick with the basics.

Types of Irises

Irises fall into two main groups: rhizome irises and bulbous irises. Rhizome irises have thick, horizontal stems that grow underground (or just above the soil). They have overlapping, sword-like leaves and come in three popular sub-categories.

1. The Bearded Iris

Bearded irises have four essential parts—standards, falls, stigma flaps, and a distinctive "beard."

2. The Beardless Iris

Beardless irises have the classic standards, falls, and stigma flaps, but they also feature crests instead of beards. These types include Dutch iris, Siberian iris, and Japanese iris.

3. The Crested Iris

Also known as Evansia irises, these have standards, falls, stigma flaps, and a yellow or orange crest. 

Now we have the Bulbous Irises. These irises grow from round or pear-shaped bulbs, usually smaller than their rhizome cousins, in both plant and flower size. Two popular types are:

• Reticulata Iris: Early bloomers that bring bloom in spring.

• Dutch Bulbous Iris: Mid-summer bloomers.

Bulbous irises have a rest period after they bloom, allowing them to recharge for the next season.