Page 141 - South Mississippi Living - August, 2026

Where to Plant
Widely-Grown Irises:
Most irises need a sunny location for best performance and bloom. If plants get less than a half-day of sun they may not bloom well. Louisiana irises and several of the beardless species will grow in standing water year-round in the south but will also do well in the ground as long as they get enough water and don’t dry out.
How to Plant
• Plant in a sunny location.
• Ensure it has well-draining soil.
• Do not layer the top of the soil with mulch (in most zones).
• Only water when the top two inches of soil are dry.
• Give low-nitrogen fertilizer in the spring to encourage bloom.
Fertilization
The soil type for your area will determine your fertilizer needs. For optimum growth an application of a balanced fertilizer in the spring is recommended when the plants are a few inches high. Always check with your local nursery or garden center for the right amount of fertilizer for the right iris type.
General Garden Care
Remember to keep your iris beds free of weeds for optimum growth. After bloom is finished, cut off the bloom stalks before any seedpods made by bees develop as seeds from these would contaminate your named cultivars. Irises can grow for several years in the same location if fed on a regular basis. Please note that irises are toxic to dogs and cats.
Happy Gardening!
Gaye Winter, Ph.D., teaches English at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and is currently serving as Historian of the Biloxi Garden Club. Reach her at gaye.winter@mgccc.edu.
• Abiqua Falls
• Again, and Again • American Classic • Beatnick
• Big Blue Eyes
• Celebration Song • Dusky Challenger
• Japanese
• Jesse’s Song • Louisiana
• Queen’s Circle
• Siberian
• That’s All Folks • Thorn bird
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