Dutch iris, planting and care. Bulbous Dutch iris for flower arrangements

Every gardener can be called an artist. But flower growers create beauty not with strokes of bright colors, but by growing flowers in their gardens. The main thing is to decide on colorful compositions in flower beds and select the necessary assortment of plants to create your own flower palette.

A win-win option for decorating flower beds is the Dutch iris. This is a bulbous plant with large beautiful flowers unusual shape. Bulb selection Dutch irises There is now a wide variety of different varieties with elegantly colored flowers to suit every taste in stores.

More familiar to our gardeners are rhizomes. These are those popular flowers that in childhood we called “cockerels” and “killer whales.” However, various bulbous irises with small and large bulbs (xyphiums, etc.) are no longer exotic for us.

Selection of Dutch iris and structural features of the bulb

The most common of the bulbous irises is the Dutch iris, or xyphium(Xiphium). Despite the fact that Xyphium is a member of the Iris family and belongs to the genus Iris, it is recognized as a separate representative of the genus, and this causes confusion in specialized literature and from flower growers.
Hybrid forms from crossing different types of xyphium are called Dutch, Spanish or English bulbous irises. At the same time, English hybrids are relatively frost-resistant in middle lane In Russia, the Dutch ones are generally low-winter-hardy, and the Spanish ones are not winter-hardy hybrids.

Dutch bulbous iris is a perennial herbaceous plant with an elongated bulb. The Dutch iris bulb itself is a modified, shortened underground shoot that resembles a bud. When cut vertically from top to bottom, the embryo of the flower shoot is visible in the middle part of the bulb. Around it, like wrappers, are the rudiments of leaves. Between the leaf embryos there are axillary and central buds. The outer layer of the bulb is integumentary scales. The diameter of the bulbs is not very large - it ranges from 2 to 3.5 cm.

Flowering of Dutch bulbous irises

Depending on the variety, Dutch bulbous irises produce peduncles of different heights (dwarf irises have a peduncle height of 30 cm). Common xyphium reaches a height of 80 cm.
This plant has narrow-grooved leaves and the flower has complex structure- 3 external and 3 internal perianth lobes. The internal lobes are located vertically and have a narrow and wide lanceolate shape. The outer lobes are rounded and directed downwards. Usually on the outer perianth lobes there is a yellow or orange spot in the center. The flower can be one-color or two-color.

The following colors of the petals of Dutch bulbous irises are possible: white, yellow, lilac of varying intensity, different shades of blue and light blue, burgundy and violet, as well as combined versions of all these colors.

In the photo: Dutch irises bulbous varieties"Romano", "White Excelsior", "Red Ember"

Dutch iris in the garden and in a bouquet

Dutch iris is planted in flower beds. Landscape designers actively promote this plant, using it in mixborders and.

Bulbous Dutch irises begin to bloom at the end of May. Depending on the variety, the difference in the time of appearance of flower stalks and buds is 2-3 weeks. If it is humid and cool outside, the flowers will last up to three to four weeks. In dry, sunny weather they fade faster.

If you select varieties of bulbous irises with different flowering, That gorgeous flower bed will please you even longer. And after flowering, their juicy and beautiful foliage will remain, which can also serve as a decoration for the flower garden.

Low-growing bulbous irises can be grown in indoor pots.

From bright colors Dutch bulbous irises make up bouquets that are appropriate to give to men. This is especially true for bouquets of blue and purple irises.
It is worth noting that cut flowers of bulbous Dutch irises last much longer in a bouquet than flowers of rhizomatous irises.
It is advisable to use it to fill a vase with irises. rainwater(since it contains no chlorine) for .

Planting Dutch iris bulbs

For many gardeners who have not yet grown bulbous Dutch irises, planting and growing them seems like a difficult task. However, it is enough to have information about several nuances of these processes to get a good result.

One of the nuances is the choice of suitable soil for bulbous Dutch irises. Ideal soil for this plant: loose, with high air permeability, nutritious, neutral or slightly alkaline. Turf and turf are added to sandy and peat garden soils, and if necessary, the acidity of the soil is adjusted.
In addition, the soil must be permeable.

The main thing you need to know is that irises cannot tolerate excess moisture; they quickly die from rotting of the bulb and roots. Therefore, before planting iris bulbs, it is important to take care of drainage to remove excess water from the soil.
But it is not necessary to place drainage directly under the plants. Shallow trenches filled with gravel or broken bricks, dug near the flowerbed along its entire length, have proven themselves well for draining water.

When planting iris bulbs, fresh manure and excessive doses should not be used. chemical fertilizers. Perfect option– add well-ripened or humus (a bucket of compost per 1 sq.m. of land). After application, the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil. In the future, the irises are fed.

Planting bulbous irises is done as follows:
- use a round peg (about 5 cm in diameter) to pierce the soil to a depth of 15 cm, and maintain a distance of approximately 10 cm between adjacent holes;
- a handful of coarse river sand is poured into each hole, into which the bulb is buried 1-2 cm;
- lightly sprinkle the bulb with sand on top, and then fill the hole with garden soil.

After purchasing iris bulbs, like any bulbous bulbs, you should treat them with a fungicide solution and dry them slightly. Before planting the bulbs (no later than 2 days), water the flowerbed or flowerpot with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and potassium humate.

Slightly sprouted bulbs of Dutch irises (with small sprouts and roots) are planted in a prepared trench 15-20 cm deep. This helps to carefully position the roots and not damage them. In this case, sand is poured to the bottom (about 2/3 of the height of the trench).
The Dutch iris bulbs laid on top of the sand are then carefully pressed with sand and covered with soil mixture. Then the plantings are watered. The soil surface on top can be sand, small pebbles, and gravel.

Dutch bulbous irises can be planted in. This is a convenient plastic container with big amount gaps and holes for air access and water outflow. It is inexpensive and can be found in garden stores or ordered from an online store.

The plastic basket must be placed on the ground and traced around the outline with a shovel. Then remove the turf along the contour and dig a planting hole about 15 cm deep. Place it in necessary fertilizers, then place a basket on top and pour loose soil mixed with compost into it. Next in the basket it is placed at the required distance required amount bulbs, which are covered with earth on top.
At the end of the iris flowering, the container is dug up and put away in a secluded place in the garden for the bulbs to ripen and the leaves to dry, and then the dug up bulbs are stored.

Caring for Dutch bulbous irises

During leaf development and flowering, Dutch bulbous irises are not very demanding. They only need to be watered in very dry summers. Xyphium is usually enough natural humidity and morning dew.
If neighboring plants in a flower garden require watering, then the iris plantings are simply covered with film so that water does not get into the holes.

Regular feeding bulbous irises no need. Enough to feed them wood ash or complex mineral fertilizers a week before flowering. The time for feeding bulbous irises is determined by the beginning of the formation of their buds - they look like thickenings between the closed leaves of the plant.

So, the Dutch bulbous irises faded, then the foliage of the xyphiums completely dried out. What to do next? Does iris require Dutch care after flowering?
After the leaves of the plant have completely dried, the bulb should be dug up. What’s nice is that where the gardener planted one bulb, there will be a small nest of them.
Each bulb can be planted separately next year, or you can leave them in a nest for 3-4 years. If a gardener divides a nest of bulbs, then next year only the largest bulbs will bloom (small children will grow up for several seasons, preparing for flowering).

The dug up bulbs of Dutch irises are dried and stored in a dry room until the beginning of Indian summer. Then they can be planted again in flower beds. But if the winters in your region are cold, then the plantings of bulbous iroises should be covered before wintering.

Thus, having understood the agricultural technology, color scheme, flowering time and height of peduncles of grown bulbous irises in one season, the next year, based on the knowledge gained, you can form an ideal flower garden from irises.

Dutch iris is damaged by leaf borers. In this case, damaged leaves are cut off and the plant is treated with insecticides.
Be sure to dig up the ground in the fall, removing last year's foliage, as well as trimmed stems of irises and other plants.
The most dangerous for them are various forms of leaf spots.

There are many varieties of Dutch irises with different flower colors; these bright plants are very large and graceful flower. The Dutch bulbous iris is unpretentious in care, and the plant has a beautiful appearance and takes root well in temperate climate zones.
Growers growing Dutch bulbous irises are unanimous that these charming plants I can be wonderful decoration garden and balcony.

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Dutch bulbous iris, planting and caring for which is not difficult, will decorate even the smallest area. Graceful multi-colored flowers on long straight stems look very decorative; they are great for decorating borders, flower beds, edging paths and ponds.

Dutch irises belong to the category bulbous plants. They are very elegant, long sword-shaped leaves look decorative and decorate flower beds and gardens even after flowering has ended. Plants are different great variety, allowing you to choose the desired size, shade, shape of the petals. All the proposed varieties get along well in the same flowerbed and have similar requirements for care, watering, and soil composition. You can buy the flowers you like in specialized stores or nurseries; they are often offered under the name reticulated iris. Among the most popular Dutch varieties:

1. 1 Blue Champion. The stem reaches 65 cm. Flowers with velvety dark blue inner and lighter outer petals bloom in mid-June and remain decorative for at least a week. Suitable for cutting.
2. 2 King Mov. Large inflorescences of two shades of pink and purple are crowned with strong stems up to 60 cm long. The aroma is subtle and pleasant. The leaves are wide, dense, and decorate flower beds after flowering.
3. 3 Symphony. Spectacular plants medium height, contrasting flowers, yellow outer petals, snow-white inner petals. The smaller Marquette variety has a similar pattern.
4. 4 Safer Beauty. Compact option for flower beds and alpine slides. Late variety, very good in cutting. The leaves are narrow, xiphoid. The flowers are medium in size, the inner petals are velvet purple, the outer petals are bright blue.
5. 5 Golden Yellow. Narrow-leaved dwarf variety, stems no higher than 40 cm, strong and perfectly straight. The flowers are small, very elegant, deep yellow.
6. 6 Violet Beauty. A variegated variety with blue-violet flowers edged with a bright yellow stripe.

It is better to purchase bulbs for planting from gardeners who have already tried one or another variety. New products appear annually and are presented at specialized exhibitions and fairs

Suitable location and soil preparation

Bulbous irises love sunny, but not too hot areas with well-drained soil. Flowers are quite capricious; stagnant moisture and soil do not suit them, but insufficient water is no less destructive. The area where irises grow must be protected from gusts of wind, which can break the tall, fragile stems. Plants can be placed next to a pond, but for drainage excess moisture it is worth filling a layer of broken brick drainage under the nutrient soil, coarse sand, expanded clay or pebbles.

The soil on which reticulated iris grows should have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. It is important that it does not contain groundwater, negatively affecting acidity. Can improve the composition slaked lime, which is applied before planting the bulbs. Adding a small portion of peat and humus, followed by thorough loosening, will help make the soil lighter. Stones, roots, and plant remains are removed from the soil, and large clods are broken with a shovel. The lighter and softer the soil, the higher the chances of plant survival.

Flowerbeds and ridges begin to be prepared in early September. In the middle zone, bulbs are planted closer to October. They should not germinate, otherwise the young plants may die when cold weather sets in. The task of the amateur gardener is to organize a comfortable winter for the irises, ensure an early awakening and timely flowering. Spring planting is also possible, but in this case the formation of buds will be delayed by 10-20 days.

Subtleties of landing

Before you start decorating your flower beds, you need to calculate the number planting material. For lush flowering 15-20 large or 25-30 small bulbs are planted per 1 m². They are sorted through and examined. Healthy specimens suitable for forcing should be dense, without soft areas, dark spots and traces of mold. After sorting, they are briefly soaked in a fungicide solution. This simple procedure protects the material from rotting and improves germination. It is recommended to spill the soil with an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate for additional disinfection and destruction of insect larvae.

A hole about 10 cm deep is dug under each southern regions or 12-15 cm for northern ones. The distance between flowers is about 15 cm. This way the plants will not interfere with each other, and there will be no unsightly bald spots between the stems. The bulbs are laid out in the holes with the roots down, sprinkled with earth and lightly compacted. The flowerbed should be thoroughly watered with settled water that is not too cold.

If the bulb has already sprouted and is planted in the spring, it is placed so that the soil level is at the border of the green arrow. There is no need to deepen it. The earth around is carefully crushed with palms. The soil surface can be mulched with peat, this will protect the flower bed from weeds. When planting tall varieties, it is worth taking care of support for the stems. On open area This role can be played by a pergola or a tall bush, protecting fragile flowers from gusts of wind.

Reticulated iris is planted in the greenhouse in early autumn; in this case, flowers suitable for cutting can be obtained in November. For forcing by March, the bulbs are placed in the ground in the first ten days of February. The ideal temperature for rapid growth of stems and formation of buds should not exceed 15ºC. Plants need timely moderate watering, fertilizing and bright lighting.

Flower garden care

In open beds, entrances appear in late April-early May. Plants develop quickly; in the first weeks they do not require watering; the plants have enough moisture retained in the soil. IN cool weather buds form later; on warm days, flowering begins at the end of May. Caring for plants is not difficult; given the right location and light, fertile soil, they develop practically without the participation of the garden owner.

To ensure the supply of oxygen to the bulbs, the soil is loosened 1-2 times a week; a hard whitish crust should not form on the surface of the earth. When loosening, it is important not to damage the delicate roots. At the same time, weeds are removed, which not only take away nutrients and moisture, but also contribute to the appearance of insect pests.

You can fertilize the plantings monthly; old humus, birch ash, and compost are added to the soil. Fresh manure cannot be used; it can damage delicate bulbs. You should not apply mineral fertilizers with a large amount of nitrogen. They call rapid growth green mass to the detriment of bud formation.

Irises love moderate humidity, but do not tolerate stagnant water in the soil. IN hot weather They need to be watered 2-3 times a week; on cool days, reduce the amount of moisture. It is not recommended to spray flowers; they prefer watering at the root.

After flowering ends, long sword-shaped leaves decorate the area for at least a month. When they begin to dry out, the green mass is cut off with a sharp knife, the bulbs are dug up and dried under the hot sun for 2-3 weeks. After this, the material is removed for storage. For successful wintering plantings are covered with branches, spruce branches or film.

Site design

The great advantage of irises is their diversity. Suitable for alpine slides dwarf varieties, beautifully in harmony with decorative greenery. The color is chosen depending on the overall color scheme: for example, yellow or fawn flowers are very elegant on a lilac, white, blue background of astilbe, forget-me-nots, and awl-shaped phlox.

A pond or other decorative body of water can be surrounded by more tall varieties with narrow leaves. It is better to plant them in groups, placing plants of harmonizing tones nearby. Burgundy flowers look beautiful next to fawn, bright blue is perfectly complemented by lemon yellow or soft pink. Compact varieties often planted in large flowerpots and displayed on verandas. Such portable flower beds need good drainage, which does not allow water to stagnate near the bulbs.

To avoid mistakes with planting next season, plants are marked with stickers during flowering. This will allow you to determine the shade of the buds when decorating flower beds in late autumn. It is recommended to store irises of different varieties and tones in separate boxes or bags.

Iris reticulum is an elegant and hardy plant that deserves best place in any garden. Having mastered the intricacies of caring for a delicate flower, you can enjoy a variety of colors throughout the summer. Different growing season periods for varieties will allow you to organize continuous flowering with changing shapes and colors.

Not only garden irises, but also bulbous irises grow along the path near my house. Beautiful flowers, rich bright colors. These plants not only decorate your garden plot, but also look wonderful in a flower arrangement at home, in a vase.

Many people ask me what varieties exist and what they are called. I am happy to share information with you, especially since irises can be planted in the fall.

Russian scientists do not distinguish bulbous irises from the genus Iris as a separate species, but nevertheless they come to us from Holland as an independent group of plants.

Recently they have been popular because they have many varieties and species that surprise with their variety of colors and resemble exotic butterflies in our flower garden.

Despite the whimsical and festive palette of colors, all bulbous irises have a common flower structure: the three outer petals of the cup are bent to the sides, and the three inner ones rise up, forming a kind of arch.

There are more than 800 species of these plants, but general rules The landings are the same for everyone:

• Irises love sunny places in the flowerbed and a little shade.
• Moderately moist soil rich in minerals and organic matter.
• For the winter, these plants are covered with a layer of peat, spruce branches and leaves. In spring the cover is removed. You can dig up the bulbs and store them in a cool place.
• It is desirable to plant the bulbs at a depth equal to three bulbs in height. The distance between plants is 10 - 15 cm. Although the irises then grow, thanks to the children, and form “spots” on the flowerbed area. This way they look much more beautiful and impressive.

Classification of varieties

In foreign sources, the division into groups and types is slightly different from domestic ones. Our bulbous irises are divided into 3 main groups:

1. Iridodictium or Iris reticulum.
2. Xifium.
3. Irises of Juno.

These species differ in appearance and internal structure stems, leaves and root system. Let's consider each species and its main varieties separately.

Iridodictium

A perennial, cold-resistant plant that overwinters even with little shelter. For a long time they were considered to be part of the main genus of Irises, although instead of a rhizome, like garden plants, he has an onion.

It is an early spring single flower that blooms a few weeks after the snow melts. Depending on the variety, it has completely different colors (“dictum” - mesh, “iris” - rainbow). Some of the varieties have a pleasant aroma.

Iris reticulum Harmony

It is much lower and smaller than the garden iris. Height - only 10 - 15 cm. Flowering time - approximately 2 weeks in April - May, if we take regions with a temperate climate. Three perianths are lowered down, and they usually have contrasting stripes or spots, and the upper ones rush upward. Amazing bright - blue flowers in diameter 8 cm.

Plants should be planted at a distance of 20 - 30 cm from each other. It blooms once and has many inflorescences. The leaves develop along with the flowers and have a narrowly grooved tetrahedral shape. Loves sun and loose, calcareous or neutral soil. Drainage is used.

Alida

Bright - blue color inflorescences stretch up to 20 cm in height. The planting period begins in September and ends in November. A scaly bulb with a diameter of 1.5 - 2.5 cm is planted no deeper than 10 cm.

The plant is winter-hardy and unpretentious, has a pleasant delicate aroma. Suitable for growing in flower pot. It begins to bloom very early - in early February, flowering ends in April.

Katherine Hodgkin

It has a very interesting color: the upper flowers are soft lilac, almost blue, and the lower ones resemble the feather of an exotic bird - there are purple strokes on a lilac background and in the middle yellow spot. One of the most beautiful and popular varieties.

The plant is not tall - only 15 cm in length, flowers with a diameter of 6 - 8 cm. This variety is planted at a depth of 10 -15 cm in September or early October. It does not bloom as early as the others - at the end of May, beginning of June. The soil is preferably neutral or slightly acidic. These flowers are used in floral arrangements for men.

The plant divides and spreads out about once every 5 years. This should not be done more often, because it is necessary to allow the baby bulbs to develop.

Iris Dunford (I. danfordiae)

This is a native of Turkey. The main flowering begins in March or early April. Amazing feature is that the flowers bloom before the leaves grow on the stem.

The flowers are bright yellow with small greenish patches near the perianth. Inner sheets slightly shortened. In the first year the plant blooms, then it no longer blooms, and the leaves begin to develop weakly. This is explained by the fact that the bulb is divided into many children, which do not have time to develop correctly and on time.

Suitable for alpine slides, slopes or for the foreground of flower beds in front of more tall plants. Since they begin to bloom very early, they will be appropriate anywhere in the flower garden, like the first spring flowers.

Pauline

The homeland of this variety is the Netherlands. Plant height is 10 - 15 cm. The leaves are green, the stem is quite strong. The flowers are purple with a diameter of 5 - 10 cm. The flower loves moderately moist soil, well-lit places. The bulb must be planted to a depth of at least 5 cm.

Is there some more popular varieties Iridodictium, which can be grown with pleasure in a flower bed:

• Cantab.
• Clarette.
• Royal Blue.
• Wetworth.
• Joyce.
• Purple Gem.

Important: it is imperative to dig up the bulbs of this species after flowering in order to avoid such a disease as “ink spot”. The main signs are yellowing and lodging of the leaf.

Xifium

Plants of this group are summer-flowering and do not have much endurance, unlike reticulate irises. They love the sun very much. Their height is no more than 50 - 60 cm. For the winter, the bulbs are dug up, dried and hidden in a cold, dark place.

The bulbs are planted to a depth of 10 - 12 cm, the distance between plants is the same. The bulbs are distinguished by 3 - 5 lobes with a scaly film, which are not fused to each other.

Previously, this species was grown as indoor decorative flowers. Nowadays it is a popular crop grown for flower arrangements. They bloom at different times of summer:

1. Late May and early June - Dutch varieties.
2. June - July - English.
3. July - Spanish.

Let's look at the main varieties of each species.

Symphony

Dutch irises are distinguished by their wide petals with delicate colors. This variety is one of the first to bloom. In general, florists love these plants very much. After flowering, the foliage begins to wither, and gradually the entire plant dries out.

Before planting, the Dutch iris bulb should be soaked in a fungicide solution and then dried. This will keep the roots from rotting.

The Dutch type of irises is added by Ideal, Wedgwood, and White Excelsior.

Frans Halls

This variety belongs to the English irises. They differ in the structure of the flower - the petals are flatter. They bloom in June - July. The number of flowers on the stem is 2 - 3 with a diameter of about 7 cm. The colors are very different: yellow, white, purple, blue.

For the winter it should be covered with peat and spruce branches. They grow in places well lit by the sun and protected from winds and drafts.

English irises also include Iris Latifolia and Yellow Queen. Some of the varieties bloom a second time in September. Look beautiful in bouquets. They retain their fresh appearance for a long time - about 7 days, until all the inflorescences have faded.

Next come spanish irises, whose homeland is the Mediterranean, Spain, the original species is Xyphium vulgaris. Flowering is usually limited to one small flower. The southern regions are more suitable for this species. Broad-leaved Xyphiums are recommended for northern ones.

Spanish varieties have narrow petals with elegantly shaped pointed tips. They bloom later than everyone else, in July. The composition of the soil provides the required amount of lime. Drainage is required.

Video about the rules for planting bulbous irises:

Bulbous irises of Juno

One of the most rare species from those grown in central Russia. Currently, more than 50 varieties are known.

• They are one of the first to bloom, in mid-spring. The flower consists of horizontally arranged internal lobes.
• The bulb resembles Xyphium, only the thick roots persist during the dormant period, which begins at the end of June. They are dug up, thoroughly dried and hidden in a cool, dark place.
• The leaves are sickle-shaped and grow in regular rows on a short, dense stem.
• There are usually several flowers on a stem.
• Planted in September in open ground to a depth of no more than 5-7 cm. The distance between plants is at least 20-30 cm. Cover the top with peat. And later, closer to winter, more spruce branches.
• The warmest and sunniest place for planting is chosen. The soil should be loose, humus and light, neutral.

The flower is very delicate in structure and more complex in color. They look beautiful when grown separately and in community with other species or garden flowers. It's better to plant in front. Juno's irises are mostly annuals.

As you can see, there are a great variety of bulbous irises, and I would like to believe that they will be planted more and more by gardeners and give joy with their luxurious flowers.

Choosing plants for a flower bed has long ceased to be a problem - a huge number of seeds, seedlings and bulbs are sold in stores, nurseries and markets. The main thing is to decide on the composition of the flower bed and select the necessary palette. Every florist is like an artist. But beauty is created not by broad strokes of oil paints, but by delicate flower buds.

The Dutch iris can be a win-win option for decorating large and small flower beds. This is a bulbous plant with large beautiful flowers of unusual shape.

What does an iris bulb look like?

We're talking about a long-term herbaceous plant with an elongated bulb instead of a rhizome. The bulb itself is modified and shortened underground escape, resembling a kidney. With a vertical cut from top to bottom, in the middle part of the bulb you can find the embryo of the flower arrow. Around it, like wrappers, are the rudiments of leaves. They are charged with the function of accumulating nutrients.

Between the leaf embryos there are axillary and central buds. The outer layer of the bulb is integumentary scales. The diameter of the bulbs is not very large - it ranges from 2 to 3.5 cm.

Botanical description

More familiar to our gardeners are the rhizome species of irises. These are the flowers that in childhood we called cockerels and iris. However, bulbous irises are also no longer exotic. The most common of them is the Dutch iris. The scientific name of this flower is Xiphium. Despite the fact that Xyphium is a member of the Iris family and belongs to the genus Iris, it is recognized as a separate representative of the genus. Sometimes, by the way, this causes confusion in the specialized literature.

The Dutch bulbous iris, the planting and care of which is described in this article, produces flower stalks of different heights. Dwarf species can produce a peduncle 30 cm high. Ordinary xyphium reaches a height of 80 cm.

The plant has narrow-grooved leaves, and the flower has a complex structure. The bud has 3 outer and 3 inner perianth lobes. The internal lobes are located vertically and have a narrow and wide lanceolate shape. The outer lobes have rounded shape and directed towards the bottom.

Usually the outer perianth lobes have a yellow or orange spot in the center. The Dutch iris bud has several color and leaf width options. Moreover, it can be one-color or two-color.

The following petal colors are possible:

• white;
• yellow of varying intensity;
• different shades of blue and light blue;
• different shades of purple;
• lilac;
• combined versions of all the listed colors.

Where are Dutch irises used?

Dutch iris is often planted in garden plots and garden beds. Landscape designers are actively promoting the view, using it in mixborders and alpine roller coaster. Bright flowers make up bouquets that are appropriate to give to men, especially for bouquets of blue and purple tones. Low-growing bulbous irises can be grown as houseplants.

It is worth noting that a cut flower of a bulbous Dutch iris will last in a bouquet much longer than root varieties. It is especially good to use rainwater for the vase, since it does not contain chlorine.

How to choose soil for planting

When the Dutch iris is described, planting appears to many as a difficult task. But it is not so. It is enough to have information about several nuances of this process.

One of them is the choice of soil for the plant. The main thing you need to know is that irises do not tolerate excess moisture. They quickly die from rotting of the bulb and roots. Before planting, it is important to take care of drainage. However, it is not necessary to place it directly under the plants. Shallow trenches filled with gravel or broken bricks, dug near the flowerbed along its entire length, have proven themselves to be effective.

For those who are planning to plant Dutch bulbous iris for the first time, planting and care begin with the choice of soil. The ideal soil for this plant is loose, with high air permeability, nutritious, neutral or slightly alkaline. In addition, it must be waterproof.

Add turf and leaf soil to sandy and peat soils, and adjust the acidity if necessary. Fresh manure and excessive doses of chemical fertilizers should not be used. The ideal option is well-ripened compost or humus (a bucket of compost per 1 m² of land). After application, the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil. Subsequently, the irises are fed with wood ash.

How to plant bulbs

Do you want Dutch bulbous iris to bloom under your window? Planting is done as follows:

1. Use a round peg (diameter about 5 cm) to pierce the soil 15 cm deep. A distance of approximately 10 cm is maintained between the pits.
2. A handful of coarse river sand is poured into the hole, into which the bulb is buried 1-2 cm.
3. The bulb is covered with the same sand on top.

After purchasing, any bulbs should be treated with a fungicide solution and slightly dried. Before planting, no later than 2 days, water the flowerbed or flowerpot with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and potassium humate.

Slightly sprouted bulbs, with sprouts and roots, are planted in a trench. The depth can be from 15 to 20 cm. This helps to carefully position the roots and not damage them. In this case, sand is poured to approximately 2/3 of the height of the trench. Dutch irises on top ( bulbous species), carefully pressed with sand and covered with soil mixture. Then watering is carried out. The soil can be mulched with sand, small pebbles, and gravel.

Another convenient way to disembark

Dutch bulbous irises can be planted in a special basket. This is a plastic container with a large number of holes and holes for air access and water outflow. It is inexpensive, you can find it in flower shops or order it on the World Wide Web.

The basket must be placed on the ground and circled with a shovel, the turf must be removed along the contour and a hole about 15 cm deep must be dug, the necessary fertilizer must be added to it, then the basket must be placed on top and loose soil mixed with compost must be poured into it. Next, the required number of bulbs are placed in the basket, which are covered with earth on top. At the end of flowering, the container is dug out and all the bulbs are stored.

Flowering time

Flowering begins at the end of May. Depending on the variety, the difference in the time of appearance of flower stalks and buds is 2-3 weeks. If it is humid and cool outside, the flowers will last up to three to four weeks. In dry, sunny weather they fade faster.

If you choose varieties of bulbous irises with different blooms, then your gorgeous flowerbed will delight you even longer. And then you will be left with juicy and beautiful foliage, which can also serve as decoration.

How to care for a blooming Dutch iris

During flowering, the Dutch iris is not very whimsical. It only needs to be watered in very dry summers. Typically, xyphium has enough natural moisture and morning dew. If neighboring plants require watering, then the irises are simply covered with film so that water does not get into the holes. Bulbous irises do not need regular feeding. It is enough to feed with wood ash or mineral mixture a week before flowering. The time is determined by the beginning of the formation of buds, they look like compactions between the leaves of the plant.

What to do next

So, the buds have faded, the xyphium foliage has completely dried out. What to do next? Does Dutch iris require care after flowering? After the leaves of the plant have completely dried, the bulb should be dug up. What’s nice is that where the gardener planted one bulb, there will be a small nest of them. Each bulb can be planted separately next year, or you can leave them in a nest for 3-4 years. If the gardener divides it, then next year only the largest bulbs will bloom, and the small ones will grow for several seasons, preparing for flowering.

The bulbs are dried and stored in a dry room until the beginning of Indian summer. Then they can be planted again in flower beds, but if the climate in the region is cold, then the planting should be covered for the winter. Thus, you can understand the color scheme, flowering time and height of peduncles, and create an ideal flower garden next year.

Diseases and pests

Dutch iris is damaged by leaf borers. In this case, damaged leaves are cut off and the plant is treated with insecticides. Be sure to dig up the ground in the fall and remove last year's foliage and trimmed stems and branches of other plants.

Of the diseases, the most dangerous for irises are various forms of spotting.

Reviews from flower growers

There are many varieties of Dutch irises. As flower growers note, these plants have a very large flower. In the reviews, most people praise Dutch iris, since it is easy to care for and has a rather beautiful appearance. This plant takes root well in temperate climate zones.

All gardeners are unanimous that Dutch irises (planting and care were described in this article) will decorate any garden plot or flower bed.

For a summer resident, there is nothing more pleasant than the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the first spring flowers. After all, for many they are harbingers of warmth, followed by summer. This is precisely one of the reasons why many gardeners grow irises on their plots.

Already in early May, in many dachas you can see blooming irises shimmering with all the colors of the rainbow. And this should not be surprising, given all the diversity of species of these ornamental plants. Thanks to this, every gardener has a unique opportunity to choose flowers of any color for his flowerbed so that they harmoniously complement other plants, creating beautiful composition. However, to achieve such a beautiful decorative effect, every gardener should know the features of planting bulbous irises and caring for them.

Soil preparation: drainage and fertilizing

Basically irises do not create any special problems in growing, however, they still have their own preferences, which should not be forgotten by a summer resident who decides to acquire these flowers on his plot. It will be difficult for you to grow irises if the following conditions exist:

• waterlogged soil;
• soil poor in minerals;
• constant shadow.

To prevent excessive waterlogging from causing you problems when growing irises, it is recommended to place them on an artificially created slope. If in the selected area the groundwater is quite close to the surface and creates a danger for the roots, then a good solution would be to install a small elevation with a slope in the south direction and make drainage system. This can be done by raising the flowerbed by 20 cm and creating conditions for the natural drainage of rainwater.

Irises belong to light-loving plants, however, abundant lighting throughout the day is contraindicated for them, so it is best if they remain in the shade for some time. This condition can be met if you choose an area for the flower garden that will have partial shading. Before transplanting plants to the selected area, you need to add organic fertilizers to the soil, and then carefully dig and loosen the soil. If you want to fertilize the land with manure, then it must be applied much earlier, about a year before planting.

Bulbs grow best on calcareous soil. You can change its reaction to the required level if you add fertilizers such as lime, chalk or eggshells. In preparation for planting irises sandy soil it is recommended to add humus to it, which is also useful to supplement with ash or 40 gr. superphosphate per 1 sq. m. On clay soils, coarse sand, as well as a small amount of humus or compost, will not be superfluous.

Blue irises can grow in one place for no more than 10 years. For hybrid varieties maximum term cultivation is 5 years. Considering that irises tend to grow quite quickly, the problem of lack of nutrients in the soil becomes urgent. This is precisely why you have to choose new places to grow these flowers from time to time.

Autumn is the time to plant bulbs

Agronomic planting techniques may include certain features that may vary depending on the variety. In areas with temperate climates it is recommended to grow Iridodictiums, Turkish and Caucasian, as well as their hybrids, which not only take root easily, but also withstand perfectly winter cold. They need to be planted dry open place, where they begin to prepare holes up to 7 cm deep. After transferring the bulbs into the holes, you need to make sure that the soil does not adhere tightly to them.

You can do it even easier if you fill them with a mixture containing a small amount of sand. Serious damage to irises can be caused fungal disease. Therefore, after purchasing the bulbs, it is necessary to treat them with insecticides: for example, “Fundazol” or “Benlat”. In summer, when the stems and leaves dry out, it is necessary to separate the daughter bulbs, which will be used as planting material.

Unlike other species, the Juno variety has fairly large bulbs with a fleshy structure, which renew their roots every year. Therefore, when working with them you need to be very careful. Important avoid injury to the roots, otherwise it will lead to the death of the plant. Plan to transplant blue bulbous irises to permanent place recommended in the last week of September or the first ten days of October. To do this, you need to transfer the bulbs into the prepared holes as carefully as possible, taking care not to damage the roots, and then sprinkle them with a layer of soil up to 6 cm thick.

In summer, the following operations are carried out on the bulbs: when the plants show clear signs of wilting, the bulbs must be dug up and transferred to a room for drying, where the temperature must be maintained at 22-25 degrees Celsius. But you can do it differently - to do this, lay a film over the flowerbed so that it does not get wet by rain, and leave it in this state until the beginning of October. Subsequently, for breeding the Juno variety, daughter bulbs or seeds are used, which are sown in special boxes. Moreover, the planting material in both cases must be pre-dried. When “Juno” is propagated by seeds, the first shoots appear in the second year.

When placing future plants, you can choose different intervals: however, flowers should not be planted closer than the width of two bulbs. The maximum permissible distance between neighboring plants is 0.5 meters.

Using Plastic Growing Baskets

Many supermarkets today offer baskets that are an excellent option for containers in which to grow bulbous crops. The main advantage is that they are simply removed from the ground, so together with the basket you can quickly and without special effort Move the planted bulbs indoors to dry.

How to properly care for irises?

Planting and care in open ground involves not only the correct choice of time for planting and soil preparation. Once the plants are established, they should be cared for during flowering. U early varieties The first flowers form in May, and the later ones - in June. First of all, bulbous irises need feeding and pest protection. Watering is no less important for flowers. Naturally, during the rainy season, irises are watered less often. It is necessary to carry out irrigation more actively in dry years, and water the plants in the evenings.

Application of mineral fertilizers

To carry out fertilizing it is necessary to select the right time. In the spring, this is done after the snow has melted and the top layer of soil has completely dried out. For fertilizing, you can use ready-made solutions and dry universal mixtures, for example, “Reasil” or “Good Power”. To do this, you need to spread the amount of fertilizer recommended by the instructions on the top layer of soil, after which it needs to be loosened. However, care must be taken to ensure that the roots are not damaged during this operation.

As a possible course of feeding for hybrid irises not in the first year of flowering, you can propose the following scheme, consisting of three main stages:

• nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus (2:3:1) - in the spring on dry soil;
• the composition is similar, but here the ratio (3:3:1) is observed - at the moment of bud formation;
• potassium, phosphorus (1:1) – one month after the start of flowering.

If during care you fertilize in a timely manner and in the right doses, then in the spring the Dutch irises will demonstrate all their attractiveness, rapid growth and long-lasting flowering. Special attention The gardener should pay attention to the moment when the flowers form flower buds. If you feed the irises at this stage of life, then next year the flowers will delight the gardener with lush, full-fledged flowering.

You need to be especially careful using nitrogen. An excess of this element often causes “fatification” - a process in which leaves grow vigorously, as a result of which the plant does not have the strength to bloom.

Preventative work to protect against pests

Regardless of the fact that bulbous blue irises do not grow as long as we would like, in this case it is still necessary to carry out special protective measures. Various pests will help to darken the joy of blooming irises. Therefore, to avoid their occurrence, it is necessary to carry out planned treatment of plants.

Conclusion

If a gardener wants to admire the first flowers in the first weeks of spring, then he should pay attention to a plant such as bulbous irises. Having planted them on the site, the summer resident can be one of the first to know that the long-awaited warmth will come very soon. However, he will be able to enjoy the beauty of bulbous irises only if he takes care of these flowers throughout the season. And to do this, many issues will have to be resolved.

In addition to choosing a suitable site for planting irises, it is necessary regularly add fertilizer to the soil, since they largely determine how abundant and long the flowering of these plants will be. Protection from pests is also an important measure, because these delicate flowers can become easy prey for many pests, including thrips.

Dutch bulbous irises

One of the most beautiful and most romantic plants is the Dutch bulbous iris. Planting and caring for it is a little troublesome, but it will more than pay off in beautiful blooming flowerbed. Outwardly, it somewhat resembles a tropical butterfly, perched on a stalk in order to rest and then fly around the world. Thanks to its beauty, the iris instantly captivated gardeners. Almost no flower bed can do without it.

Description and varieties

Let's take the Dutch iris (Iris Hollandica) as a basis.

First, let's move away from the topic and mention that heat-loving irises have three main varieties:

Dutch iris is a xyphium, and belongs to hybrid varieties Dutch category, bred in the country of the same name. In flower shops they are sold in the form of bulbs covered with multiple layers of scales. In adult form, the height of the plant is on average 0.6 m, but it all depends on the variety. For example, in the Dutch Blue Diamond, Casablanca, Blue Magic and others iris, the height varies between 0.45-0.7 m.

If you plant irises in places inaccessible to the wind, they will not need supports.

The plant itself is winter-hardy. However, in severe frosts they need to be covered with something to prevent freezing. Irises are widely used. They not only decorate garden beds and flower beds, but are also grown for cutting to create bouquets and flower arrangements.

The flowering of the Dutch iris (photos below) occurs in the last week of May and continues until the beginning of June. As for the spectrum of shades of buds, they can be very diverse, from white and blue to orange and purple. After flowering, the plant begins to dry out the foliage, and by the end of August it dries completely.

Dutch bulbous iris: planting

In principle, planting bulbous irises is identical to root ones. But there are still a number of nuances that must be strictly followed:

1. The growing season of bulbous irises is quite short. Flowering occurs late, towards summer, and quickly stops. Therefore, it is important to choose the right material for planting. In this case, you should pay attention to the golden color of the bulbs, the absence of dark spots or soft zones. The development of the plant and its condition depend on the correct choice.
2. Before planting, flower bulbs must be dipped in a fungicide solution and kept there for several hours. This procedure protects it from rotting in the ground. Afterwards, the aged onion is thoroughly dried.
3. Bulbous Dutch iris is planted in the spring.
4. The soil in the flower bed or in the place where the irises will be planted should be plowed in advance, and then disinfected with potassium permanganate (just water it). This will help get rid of germs and bacteria that can harm the bulb and destroy the plant.
5. The bulbs are planted when roots begin to appear. At the same time, they are planted to a depth of 10-15 cm, maintaining a distance of 15 cm between specimens. This distance will ensure good development and the growth of the plant and will not allow it to shade each other in a group with each other.
6. The planted bulbs are sprinkled with soil and watered well.

Basic rules for caring for bulbous Dutch iris

In order for the plant to develop without complications and enjoy flowering for a long time, you should follow a number of rules for caring for flowers.

Lighting

Irises are light-loving plants, so for planting you need to choose dry and well-lit places. But at the same time, they need to be protected from direct sun rays. Ideal place for a flower bed, partial shade with sufficient illumination.

The soil

As for the substrate, nutritious and loose soil is important for irises. In this case, its pH should be alkaline or neutral. If the indicators are different or the clay substrate predominates in the area, then adding sand to prevent water stagnation, as well as adding slaked lime to adjust the pH to the required value, will help correct the situation.

Irises prefer loose soil, so after planting, loosening should be carried out regularly. 1-2 times/week will be enough.

Watering

Since irises are very sensitive to waterlogging of the soil (this leads to rotting of the roots and further death of the entire bulb), before planting you need to take care of good drainage so that the water can “leave” and not accumulate at the planting site.

Russia is characterized by rainy seasons, so after flowering the bulbs are recommended to be dug up, dried and placed in a dry place for storage.

Top dressing

The plant also does not tolerate exposure to any chemicals. Therefore, you need to be very careful with fertilizing. It is better to opt for compost or humus, in the amount of 1 bucket/m2. After planting the bulbs, the plants can be “fed” with wood ash.

Stores often sell iris Dutch mix. Planting and caring for such bulbs is identical. Only the color of the buds will be a “surprise” for you.

Now you know how and when to plant Dutch irises. Compliance with all the rules will allow you to grow amazing beauty plants and liven up your area with bright colors.

Video about bulbous irises

Dutch bulbous iris, planting and caring for which is not difficult, will decorate even the smallest area. Graceful multi-colored flowers on long straight stems look very decorative; they are great for decorating borders, flower beds, edging paths and ponds.

Variety selection

Dutch irises belong to the category of bulbous plants. They are very elegant, long sword-shaped leaves look decorative and decorate flower beds and gardens even after flowering has ended. Plants are distinguished by a wide variety, allowing you to choose the desired size, shade, and shape of the petals. All the proposed varieties get along well in the same flowerbed and have similar requirements for care, watering, and soil composition. You can buy the flowers you like in specialized stores or nurseries; they are often offered under the name reticulated iris. Among the most popular Dutch varieties:

1. 1 Blue Champion. The stem reaches 65 cm. Flowers with velvety dark blue inner and lighter outer petals bloom in mid-June and remain decorative for at least a week. Suitable for cutting.
2. 2King Mov. Large inflorescences of two shades of pink and purple are crowned with strong stems up to 60 cm long. The aroma is subtle and pleasant. The leaves are wide, dense, and decorate flower beds after flowering.
3. 3Symphony. Spectacular plants of medium height, contrasting flowers, yellow outer petals, snow-white inner petals. The smaller Marquette variety has a similar pattern.
4. 4Seifar Beauty. Compact option for flower beds and alpine slides. Late variety, very good for cutting. The leaves are narrow, xiphoid. The flowers are medium in size, the inner petals are velvet purple, the outer petals are bright blue.
5. 5Golden Yellow. Narrow-leaved dwarf variety, stems no higher than 40 cm, strong and perfectly straight. The flowers are small, very elegant, deep yellow.
6. 6Violet Beauty. A variegated variety with blue-violet flowers edged with a bright yellow stripe.

It is better to purchase bulbs for planting from gardeners who have already tried one or another variety. New products appear annually and are presented at specialized exhibitions and fairs

Suitable location and soil preparation

Bulbous irises love sunny, but not too hot areas with well-drained soil. Flowers are quite capricious; stagnant moisture and soil do not suit them, but insufficient water is no less destructive. The area where irises grow must be protected from gusts of wind, which can break the tall, fragile stems. Plants can be placed next to a pond, but to remove excess moisture, it is worth filling a layer of drainage made of broken brick, coarse sand, expanded clay or pebbles under the nutrient soil.

The soil on which reticulated iris grows should have a neutral or slightly alkaline reaction. It is important that there is no groundwater in it that negatively affects acidity. Slaked lime, which is added before planting the bulbs, can improve the composition. Adding a small portion of peat and humus, followed by thorough loosening, will help make the soil lighter. Stones, roots, and plant remains are removed from the soil, and large clods are broken with a shovel. The lighter and softer the soil, the higher the chances of plant survival.

Flowerbeds and ridges begin to be prepared in early September. In the middle zone, bulbs are planted closer to October. They should not germinate, otherwise the young plants may die when cold weather sets in. The task of the amateur gardener is to organize a comfortable winter for the irises, ensure an early awakening and timely flowering. Spring planting is also possible, but in this case the formation of buds will be delayed by 10-20 days.

Subtleties of landing

Before you start decorating your flower beds, you need to calculate the amount of planting material. For lush flowering, 15-20 large or 25-30 small bulbs are planted per 1 m². They are sorted through and examined. Healthy specimens suitable for forcing should be dense, without soft areas, dark spots and traces of mold. After sorting, they are briefly soaked in a fungicide solution. This simple procedure protects the material from rotting and improves germination. It is recommended to spill the soil with an aqueous solution of potassium permanganate for additional disinfection and destruction of insect larvae.

Under each, a hole is dug about 10 cm deep for the southern regions or 12-15 cm for the northern ones. The distance between flowers is about 15 cm. This way the plants will not interfere with each other, and there will be no unsightly bald spots between the stems. The bulbs are laid out in the holes with the roots down, sprinkled with earth and lightly compacted. The flowerbed should be thoroughly watered with settled water that is not too cold.

If the bulb has already sprouted and is planted in the spring, it is placed so that the soil level is at the border of the green arrow. There is no need to deepen it. The earth around is carefully crushed with palms. The soil surface can be mulched with peat, this will protect the flower bed from weeds. When planting tall varieties, it is worth taking care of support for the stems. In an open area, this role can be played by a pergola or a tall bush, protecting fragile flowers from gusts of wind.

Reticulated iris is planted in the greenhouse in early autumn; in this case, flowers suitable for cutting can be obtained in November. For forcing by March, the bulbs are placed in the ground in the first ten days of February. The ideal temperature for rapid growth of stems and formation of buds should not exceed 15ºC. Plants need timely moderate watering, fertilizing and bright lighting.

Flower garden care

In open beds, entrances appear in late April-early May. Plants develop quickly; in the first weeks they do not require watering; the plants have enough moisture retained in the soil. In cool weather, buds form later; on warm days, flowering begins at the end of May. Caring for plants is not difficult; given the right location and light, fertile soil, they develop practically without the participation of the garden owner.

To ensure the supply of oxygen to the bulbs, the soil is loosened 1-2 times a week; a hard whitish crust should not form on the surface of the earth. When loosening, it is important not to damage the delicate roots. At the same time, weeds are removed, which not only take away nutrients and moisture, but also contribute to the appearance of insect pests.

You can fertilize the plantings monthly; old humus, birch ash, and compost are added to the soil. Fresh manure cannot be used; it can damage delicate bulbs. You should not apply mineral fertilizers with a large amount of nitrogen. They cause rapid growth of green mass to the detriment of the formation of buds.

Irises love moderate humidity, but do not tolerate stagnant water in the soil. In hot weather, they need to be watered 2-3 times a week; on cool days, the amount of moisture is reduced. It is not recommended to spray flowers; they prefer watering at the root.

After flowering ends, long sword-shaped leaves decorate the area for at least a month. When they begin to dry out, the green mass is cut off with a sharp knife, the bulbs are dug up and dried under the hot sun for 2-3 weeks. After this, the material is removed for storage. For successful wintering, plantings are covered with branches, spruce branches or film.

Site design

The great advantage of irises is their diversity. For alpine hills, dwarf varieties are suitable, they harmonize beautifully with decorative greenery. The color is chosen depending on the overall color scheme: for example, yellow or fawn flowers are very elegant on a lilac, white, blue background of astilbe, forget-me-nots, and awl-shaped phlox.

A pond or other decorative pond can be surrounded by taller varieties with narrow leaves. It is better to plant them in groups, placing plants of harmonizing tones nearby. Burgundy flowers look beautiful next to fawn ones, bright blue ones are perfectly complemented by lemon yellow or soft pink. Compact varieties are often planted in large flowerpots and displayed on verandas. Such portable flower beds need good drainage, which does not allow water to stagnate near the bulbs.

To avoid mistakes with planting next season, plants are marked with stickers during flowering. This will allow you to determine the shade of the buds when decorating flower beds in late autumn. It is recommended to store irises of different varieties and tones in separate boxes or bags.

The reticulated iris is an elegant and hardy plant that deserves a prime spot in any garden. Having mastered the intricacies of caring for a delicate flower, you can enjoy the variety of colors throughout the summer. Different growing season periods for varieties will allow for continuous flowering with changing shapes and colors.

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Choosing plants for a flower bed has long ceased to be a problem - a huge number of seeds, seedlings and bulbs are sold in stores, nurseries and markets. The main thing is to decide on the composition of the flower bed and select the necessary palette. Every florist is like an artist. But beauty is created not by broad strokes of oil paints, but by delicate flower buds.

The Dutch iris can be a win-win option for decorating large and small flower beds. It has large beautiful flowers of unusual shape.

What does an iris bulb look like?

We are talking about a perennial herbaceous plant with an elongated bulb instead of a rhizome. The bulb itself is a modified and shortened underground shoot that resembles a bud. With a vertical cut from top to bottom, in the middle part of the bulb you can find the embryo of the flower arrow. Around it, like wrappers, are the rudiments of leaves. They are charged with the function of accumulating nutrients.

Between the leaf embryos there are axillary and central buds. The outer layer of the bulb is integumentary scales. The diameter of the bulbs is not very large - it ranges from 2 to 3.5 cm.

Botanical description

More familiar to our gardeners are the rhizome species of irises. These are the flowers that in childhood we called cockerels and iris. However, it is also no longer exotic. The most common of them is the Dutch iris. The scientific name of this flower is Xiphium. Despite the fact that Xyphium is a member of the Iris family and belongs to the genus Iris, it is recognized as a separate representative of the genus. Sometimes, by the way, this causes confusion in the specialized literature.

The Dutch bulbous iris, the planting and care of which is described in this article, produces flower stalks of different heights. The dwarf species can produce a peduncle 30 cm high. The ordinary xyphium reaches a height of 80 cm.

The plant has narrow-grooved leaves, and the flower has a complex structure. The bud has 3 outer and 3 inner perianth lobes. The internal lobes are located vertically and have a narrow and wide lanceolate shape. The outer lobes are round in shape and directed towards the bottom.

Usually the outer perianth lobes have a yellow or orange spot in the center. The Dutch iris bud has several color and leaf width options. Moreover, it can be one-color or two-color.

The following petal colors are possible:

• white;
• yellow of varying intensity;
• different shades of blue and light blue;
• different shades of purple;
• lilac;
• combined versions of all the listed colors.

Where are Dutch irises used?

Dutch iris is often planted in garden plots and garden beds. Landscape designers are actively promoting the view, using it in mixborders and alpine slides. Bright flowers make up bouquets that are appropriate to give to men, especially for bouquets of blue and purple tones. Low-growing bulbous irises can be grown as houseplants.

It is worth noting that cut Dutch iris will last much longer in a bouquet than root varieties. It is especially good to use rainwater for the vase, since it does not contain chlorine.

How to choose soil for planting

When the Dutch iris is described, planting appears to many as a difficult task. But it is not so. It is enough to have information about several nuances of this process.

One of them is the choice of soil for the plant. The main thing you need to know is that irises do not tolerate excess moisture. They quickly die from rotting of the bulb and roots. Before planting, it is important to take care of drainage. However, it is not necessary to place it directly under the plants. Shallow trenches filled with gravel or broken bricks, dug near the flowerbed along its entire length, have proven themselves to be effective.

For those who are planning to plant Dutch bulbous iris for the first time, planting and care begin with the choice of soil. The ideal soil for this plant is loose, with high air permeability, nutritious, neutral or slightly alkaline. In addition, it must be waterproof.

Add turf and leaf soil to sandy and peat soils, and adjust the acidity if necessary. Fresh manure and excessive doses of chemical fertilizers should not be used. The ideal option is well-ripened compost or humus (a bucket of compost per 1 m² of land). After application, the fertilizer is thoroughly mixed with the soil. Subsequently, the irises are fed with wood ash.

How to plant bulbs

Do you want Dutch bulbous iris to bloom under your window? is done as follows:

1. Use a round peg (diameter about 5 cm) to pierce the soil 15 cm deep. A distance of approximately 10 cm is maintained between the pits.
2. A handful of coarse river sand is poured into the hole, into which the bulb is buried 1-2 cm.
3. The bulb is covered with the same sand on top.

After purchasing, any bulbs should be treated with a fungicide solution and slightly dried. Before planting, no later than 2 days, water the flowerbed or flowerpot with a weak solution of potassium permanganate and

Slightly sprouted bulbs, with sprouts and roots, are planted in a trench. The depth can be from 15 to 20 cm. This helps to carefully position the roots and not damage them. In this case, sand is poured to approximately 2/3 of the height of the trench. From above, Dutch irises (bulbous species) are carefully pressed with sand and covered with soil mixture. Then watering is carried out. The soil can be mulched with sand, small pebbles, and gravel.

Another convenient way to disembark

Dutch bulbous irises can be planted in a special basket. This is a plastic container with a large number of holes and holes for air access and water outflow. It is inexpensive, you can find it in flower shops or order it on the World Wide Web.

The basket must be placed on the ground and circled with a shovel, the turf must be removed along the contour and a hole about 15 cm deep must be dug, the necessary fertilizer must be added to it, then the basket must be placed on top and loose soil mixed with compost must be poured into it. Next, the required number of bulbs are placed in the basket, which are covered with earth on top. At the end of flowering, the container is dug out and all the bulbs are stored.

Flowering time

Flowering begins at the end of May. Depending on the variety, the difference in the time of appearance of flower stalks and buds is 2-3 weeks. If it is humid and cool outside, the flowers will last up to three to four weeks. In dry, sunny weather they fade faster.

If you choose varieties of bulbous irises with different blooms, then your gorgeous flowerbed will delight you even longer. And then you will be left with juicy and beautiful foliage, which can also serve as decoration.

How to care for a blooming Dutch iris

In time, Dutch is not very whimsical. It only needs to be watered in very dry summers. Typically, xyphium has enough natural moisture and morning dew. If neighboring plants require watering, then the irises are simply covered with film so that water does not get into the holes. Bulbous irises do not need regular feeding. It is enough to feed with wood ash or a mineral mixture a week before flowering. The time is determined by the beginning of the formation of buds, they look like compactions between the leaves of the plant.

What to do next

So, the buds have faded, the xyphium foliage has completely dried out. What to do next? Does Dutch iris require care after flowering? After the leaves of the plant have completely dried, the bulb should be dug up. What’s nice is that where the gardener planted one bulb, there will be a small nest of them. Each bulb can be planted separately next year, or you can leave them in a nest for 3-4 years. If the gardener divides it, then next year only the largest bulbs will bloom, and the small ones will grow for several seasons, preparing for flowering.

The bulbs are dried and stored in a dry room until the beginning of Indian summer. Then they can be planted again in flower beds, but if the climate in the region is cold, then the planting should be covered for the winter. Thus, you can understand the color scheme, flowering time and height of peduncles, and create an ideal flower garden next year.

Diseases and pests

Dutch iris is damaged by leaf borers. In this case, damaged leaves are cut off and the plant is treated with insecticides. Be sure to dig up the ground in the fall and remove last year's foliage and trimmed stems and branches of other plants.

Of the diseases, the most dangerous for irises are various forms of spotting.