Bearded irises are one of the most beloved flowers for gardens. Known for their stunning colors and unique blooms, these perennials offer unmatched beauty in the late spring and early summer. As interest in bearded irises continues to grow, more and more gardeners are looking for places to find high-quality bearded iris bulbs for sale. Luckily, there are several great options available online and by mail-order where you can find beautiful bearded iris bulbs.
What Are Bearded Irises?
Bearded irises, also known as Iris germanica or Iris barbata, are perennials that grow from rhizomes. They are named for the fuzzy “beards” on each petal that are especially noticeable on the falls (the lower petals). Bearded irises produce blooms in a wide range of colors like purple, blue, pink, orange, yellow, red, white, and black. The sword-shaped foliage provides nice vertical form in the garden.
While most bearded iris bloom in late spring to early summer, there are also reblooming varieties that will flower again in late summer or fall. This gives you a second season of enjoyment from these irises.
Where to Buy Bearded Iris Bulbs
If you want to grow bearded irises, you’ll need to start with high-quality bulbs (rhizomes) from a reputable source. Here are some of the best places to buy bearded iris bulbs for sale:
Online Retailers
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High Country Gardens This popular online plant nursery offers over 50 varieties of bearded iris bulbs You’ll find tall bearded, intermediate bearded, dwarf bearded, and reblooming varieties Bulk packages and curated collections available.
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Breck’s A leading bulb supplier, Breck’s has over 200 bearded iris bulbs for sale Shop by bloom time, color, height and more. Reblooming and German iris available
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Holland Bulb Farms: A family-owned company offering bearded iris rhizomes ideal for zones 3-10. Robust selection of over 50 varieties includes tall bearded, intermediate bearded, and dwarf bearded iris.
Mail Order Nurseries
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Bluestone Perennials: Veteran-owned mail order nursery with affordable bearded iris rhizomes shipped bare root. Selection includes both spring-blooming and reblooming varieties.
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Easy To Grow Bulbs: This mail order company provides 100% guaranteed-to-grow bearded iris rhizomes shipped at proper planting time. They offer mix-and-match discounts.
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Nature Hills Nursery: Large inventory of bearded iris rhizomes from leading hybridizers. Choose from dwarf, intermediate, border, miniature tall bearded, and tall bearded irises.
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American Meadows: Specialty nursery carrying 50+ varieties of bearded iris rhizomes. Shop by bloom time, color, height, and type like miniature dwarf, tall bearded, and more.
Local Nurseries
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Visit local nurseries and garden centers in your area to shop their selection of bearded iris rhizomes in person. This allows you to see sizes and quality.
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Farmer’s markets, plant sales, Iris Societies, and botanical gardens are other places you may be able to find bearded iris bulbs locally.
Things to Look for When Buying Bearded Iris Bulbs
When buying bearded iris bulbs, here are a few things to look for:
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Healthy rhizomes: Choose plump, firm rhizomes without soft spots or signs of rot. Avoid shriveled or desiccated rhizomes.
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Good roots: Healthy white feeder roots indicate a vigorous bulb.
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Large rhizome size: Bigger is generally better when selecting bearded iris rhizomes, usually over 1/2 inch diameter. Large rhizomes establish easier.
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Reputable seller: Buy from a trusted vendor known for selling quality bulbs. This helps avoid disappointments.
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Details: The name, bloom season, height, and color should be clearly identified. Details indicate a conscientious seller.
When to Plant Bearded Iris Bulbs
For best growth and flowering, bearded iris rhizomes are planted in late summer to early fall. This allows the roots to establish before winter dormancy and primes them for vigorous growth and abundant blooms the following year. If you buy bearded iris bulbs in spring or summer, keep them in a cool spot until fall planting time.
How to Plant Bearded Iris Bulbs
Here is a quick overview of how to plant bearded iris bulbs:
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Sun: Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
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Soil: Well-drained soil is ideal. Avoid soggy areas.
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Spacing: Space rhizomes 12-24 inches apart depending on variety size.
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Planting Depth: Set the rhizome tops just at or slightly above soil level.
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Dividing: Clumps should be divided every 3-5 years to rejuvenate.
Proper planting and care will help ensure your bearded iris bulbs reward you with stunning blooms and performance year after year.
Where to Find Gorgeous Bearded Iris Bulbs for Sale
With so many colors and blooming seasons, bearded irises are a must-have flower for any garden. Check out the selection of bearded iris bulbs for sale from the reputable sources above to find the perfect additions for your landscape. You’ll delight in their beauty for years to come!
Spring Flowering Bulbs to Plant in Fall
A true garden workhorse, the bearded iris is ridiculously easy to grow and puts on a spectacular display in the garden. It blooms in late spring and makes the perfect follow-up to daffodils or poppies. Unlike so many other perennials, the bearded iris will stand up to weeds and grasses and outshines everything with its tall pointed leaves and curly blooms. The most challenging aspect of irises is selecting a color from the expansive rainbow of options. USDA Zone Hardiness Zone:
Iris Complete Guide: Where to Buy, How to Plant, Fertilizing, & After Care. Schreiner’s Iris Order!
FAQ
Why are bearded iris so expensive?
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World of Iriseshttps://theamericanirissociety.blogspot.comThree Myths About Bearded IrisesSep 16, 2019 — The rise of the internet and social media has further complicated the process of separating myth from reality. … And bearded iris seeds don’t germ…
What is the prettiest bearded iris?
Iris ‘Splashacata’ (Bearded Iris)
Multiple award-winning Iris ‘Splashacata’ is exceptionally beautiful with its pale lavender-violet standards and white falls heavily peppered with purple dots and speckles. Gently ruffled, the blossoms of this Tall Bearded Iris are captivating and eye-popping.
Why do you soak iris bulbs before planting?
Should Iris Bulbs be Soaked Before Planting? You don’t need to soak bulbs before planting. For irises grown from rhizomes, soaking may make the roots a little more pliable for planting.
What color are bearded irises?
A late spring blooming classic, the bearded iris! Bearded iris are hybrid irises, they can sometimes be called German iris. Interesting blooms of the bearded iris have an array of color in the falls, standards and beards of the iris. Bearded iris will bloom in shades of blue, red, purple, white, pink and pretty much any other color you can imagine!
Do bearded irises bloom in late spring?
Plant bearded iris with other late spring blooming perennials like peonies, allium, and oriental poppies for a blast of late spring color. Bearded irises for sale shipping directly to you. Bearded iris flowers bloom in almost every color in the rainbow! Plant bearded iris in late summer to early fall.
Are bearded irises easy to grow?
The most challenging aspect of irises is selecting a color from the expansive rainbow of options. Spring Flowering Bulbs to Plant in FallA true garden workhorse, the bearded iris is ridiculously easy to grow and puts on a spectacular display in the garden. It blooms in late spring and makes the perfect follow-up to daffodils or poppies.
How many flowers do bearded irises have?
You can expect to see two or three flowers per stem from these beauties. Iris germanica is a great place to start with bearded irises. There are plenty of lovely cultivars to choose from including the peach and purple petalled Iris ‘Rose de Perse’ and the zinging lemon yellow ‘Buckwheat’.
Are bearded iris perennials?
These hardy perennials are a welcome sign of summer, bridging the gap between spring and summer blooms. Why Plant Bearded Iris? Bearded Iris plants are easy to grow, bursting with color, and ideal for waterwise gardens. These hardy perennials are a welcome sign of summer, bridging the gap between spring and summer blooms.
What type of plant is a bearded iris?
Bearded iris is a popular perennial for its stunning flowers, variety of bloom colors, and striking, sword-like leaves. Growing these flowers is not difficult, as they are drought tolerant.