SCIENTIFIC NAME: Iris hybrids

COMMON NAME: Tall bearded iris

FAMILY: Iridaceae

TYPE: perennial, evergreen

LEAVES: sword-shaped, up to 1 1/2' long and 1 1/2" wide, glaucous, evergreen

FLOWER: one or more flowers per stem, 3 standards arching, 3 falls drooping with beard; very wide range of colors including blue

SEASON OF BLOOM: spring flowering for about 3 weeks

GROWTH HABIT: 2' to 4', erect

SOIL: well drained soil important; basic pH

SUN: full

HARDINESS: zone 5

UTILIZATION: background, very popular perennial--1,000s of cultivars

DISEASES: bacterial soft rot in poorly drained soil

INSECTS AND RELATED PESTS: iris borer, remove organic debris and dead leaves around rhizomes

PROPAGATION: division after flowering until August, rhizomes should be separated with one fan of leaves, cut back to 6", replant rhizome just at soil level

MAINTENANCE: divide every 3 - 5 years