How do I keep my bearded irises healthy and prolific?

Question: Dear Master Gardeners, how do I keep my bearded irises healthy and prolific?

Answer: For the leaves that die in winter, leave them on the ground to help reduce damage caused by alternate freezing and thawing. If you have a slug problem or other pest then clean them off, destroy the leaves and apply mulch to protect. In Spring, if not done already, then remove all dead leaves. Do not put any leaves into your compost pile if you have one, they can carry disease or insect eggs. Destroy them.

Also, do not cultivate the soil around the plants since their roots are near the surface and can be injured. It is best to weed by hand, or add a thick layer of mulch. This serves as weed barrier, conserve moisture, and to aid in keeping soil temperatures lower on hot days. Once your irises fade then break off blooms. Blooms left on form seed heads which steal away the plants energy that is needed to grow more roots, rhizomes and leaves. Water thoroughly if Spring weather is too dry. A deep watering is much better than fewer shallow waterings.

When the surface soil around the plants can be worked gently by hand then apply fertilizer in Spring and then another application after blooming, make sure to follow directions on the package label. Over fertilizing can burn the leaves. Enjoy your irises, which is also the Tennessee state flower!

Send questions to rheacomg@gmail.com, or write to us at Rhea County Extension Office, c/o Master Gardeners, 125 Court Street, Suite 3, Dayton TN 37321.