Iris Roots (Spring-Planted)

Grow the best irises in your spring-planted garden

Irises have long been revered as a garden classic. For such a hardy plant adaptable enough to naturalize almost anywhere, these perennials produce the most delicate, striking flowers. Iris is Greek for rainbow, and there’s hardly a flowering plant with more variety in color and variety than the iris. Don’t be intimidated by these majestic beauties—spring-planted Siberian irises are surprisingly easy to grow, and happily return year after year to put on a show.

Siberian irises are diminutive versions of their bearded cousins. Reaching between one and three feet tall, these sleek blooms are still fragrant enough to command attention. Siberian irises are low-maintenance plants and do well when planted in the spring.

How to plant iris roots

To plant Siberian iris roots in spring, choose a site that gets full or partial sun and has a slightly acidic pH. Be sure that soil drains well, and add compost. Spring-planted irises prefer fertile soil rich in organic matter but will grow in poor soil with regular fertilization.

For spring-planted irises, choose a planting site that drains well and dig a hole three to five inches deep. Bury the rhizome an inch under the soil where the roots meet the sprouts. Plant each clump about two feet apart to allow the plants to expand and reach their maximum height. Siberian irises benefit from organic mulch to keep their roots protected from dry, hot conditions. Spring-planted irises may not bloom the first year, but will certainly put on a show for the second and consecutive seasons.

Companion plants for spring-planted irises

Late May to early June is the peak bloom window for spring-planted irises. These late spring bloomers are the perfect companion plants for tulips and narcissus, pansy, papaver orientale, peonies, allium, columbine, and salvia. Their cool colors and sweet scent bridge the gap perfectly between spring bulbs and summer blooms.

Ranging in color from cream to midnight, spring-planted irises look regal, standing tall in the garden. The fragrant blooms will draw pollinators and the human gaze alike to your flower patch. Choose between Eden Brothers’ four varieties of Siberian irises—or, better yet, grow them all. For more information about planting, growing, and harvesting spring-planted iris roots, see the Siberian Iris Planting Guide.