Bearded Irises are really easy to grow when the chosen site gets 50% sun during the day and the soil is rich in humus with a ph of around 6.5. Difficulty may be experienced in areas where the climate is very wet and the site has very heavy clay and little soil. However it is possible to overcome most issues if you want to grow them. The Bearded Irises can be found growing naturally in the Mediteranean and as far north as the Baltic sea. They can therefore tolerate quite dry summers and fairly cold winters.

The optimum planting time in most areas of New Zealand is December and again in Feruary and March. To Plant earlier than December would mean that the new roots and the off-shoots have not yet developed and planting after March means the growing period before the winter is too short for the plants to estabish themselves before the winter. If plants are not well rooted into their new site before winter, wind rock and a tall flowering stem can tip the whole plant over exposing the roots to the sun. If your area has an early winter you should request your plants before the end of February.

Tall Bearded and Border Irises should be planted approximatley 30 cm apart. Intermediates and Dwarf Bearded Irises about 20cm apart. The Standard Dwarf Bearded look fabulous beside concrete paths where you pass by frequently and have the pleasure of looking down on these eye catching blooms. Tall Bearded suit the back of a border best and can look fabulous against a contrasting wall such as a purple or black iris against a cream or white background. The Intermediates and Miniature Tall Bearded make excellent cut flowers producing many stems and they clump up really quickly. Miniature Dwarf Bearded are best suited to a rockery or used as pot plant - they can get lost in the border.

Choose a well drained site with sun for at least 50% of the day. Dig the ground well before planting and incorporate lime and compost to bring the ph to 6.5 and to improve soil structure.

Plant the rhizome so that the top of the rhizome is level with the surface of the soil. Firm the roots in well to anchor the plant well.

Top dress in early Spring wiht a general purpose fertilizer with an NPK of 747. During Spring and Summer if the weather is damp you may need to spray for leaf spot. The same spray as you would use on roses is quite effective. Keep rhizomes clear of weeds and dead leaf litter. Do not mulch close to the rhizome. The sun should shine on the rhizomes to help initiate next season's flowering.

Divide clumps when they become crowed - usually by the 3rd season. Keep only the young vigorous growth and preferaby shift to a new location. It may be possible to dig out the centre of the clump, removing the old leafless rhizomes and replacing the soil in the centre with new soil and good compost.

You may be interested in joining the New Zealand Iris Society. There are groups throughout New Zealand, which hold regular meetings and have educational topics for those interested in the species iris. You do not have to be a specialised gardener to join the society, but you can learn much from others. To learn more visit the society web site www.nziris.org.nz 

Orders are accepted from the time you receive your catalogue and the bare rooted plants are available in December 2011, February and March 2012. It is no problem to post the plants in New Zealand.

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To Order :

On Line

Consult the gallery and catalogue. Use the Order Form and post or send via email to richmondirises@xtra.co.nz. Payment by direct bank transfer.

By Mail

Send $1.50 in stamps for a catalogue to 376 Hill Street, Richmond, Nelson, 7020 New Zealand - an order form comes with the catalogue.

or

Print the order form, fill in and send with payment to the above address.

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Galleries have photos of most, but not all, of our irises available this year.

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Telephone and Fax - +64 (3) 5446513