Here Comes the Sun Iris – A Bright and Cheerful Flower for Your Garden

The Here Comes the Sun iris is a gorgeous tall bearded iris cultivar that lives up to its sunny name. With its bright golden yellow petals, this iris really does seem to capture the radiance and warmth of the rising sun. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at this dazzling iris so you can decide if it’s the right addition for your garden.

Overview of Here Comes the Sun Iris

As mentioned, the Here Comes the Sun iris has flowers in a bold, bright golden yellow hue. It blooms in mid to late spring, bringing a burst of sunshine to the garden right when you need it most. The flowers have a classic iris shape, with three drooping “falls” and three upright “standards.” Subtle ruffles add texture and movement.

This iris grows to a height of about 36 inches, with well-branched stems that provide a nice display of flowers It was hybridized by Schreiner’s Gardens and introduced in 2007. The two parent irises are ‘Yukon Fever’ and ‘Orange Blossom Special’

In 2010 Here Comes the Sun received an Honorable Mention from the American Iris Society. This means it was recognized as an iris of excellence, even if it didn’t quite make it to the top of the list. The iris is known for having excellent substance, meaning the flower petals are firm and weather resistant.

Here Comes the Sun is hardy in zones 4-9. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. Like most tall bearded irises, it is drought tolerant once established. This makes it an easycare addition to perennial borders, cottage gardens, and more.

Where to Buy Here Comes the Sun Iris

If you’ve fallen in love with the gorgeous sunshine colors of the Here Comes the Sun iris, you may be wondering where you can get your hands on this variety.

Luckily, the iris is available from several reputable online nurseries that ship nationwide:

• Schreiner’s Gardens – As the original hybridizer of Here Comes the Sun, Schreiner’s offers the iris for $10 per rhizome. They ship the rhizomes in July, August, and September when the plants are dormant.

• Breck’s – This company sells Here Comes the Sun for $32.99 per rhizome. Breck’s is known for high-quality bulbs and rhizomes. They ship in the fall.

• American Iris Society – Members of the AIS can order irises, including Here Comes the Sun, through the society’s iris exchanges and sales. This allows you to get rare or hard-to-find varieties.

When buying irises online, look for companies that ship at the proper planting time for your zone and package the rhizomes carefully to prevent damage. Make sure any guarantees are clearly stated before purchasing.

How to Plant and Grow Here Comes the Sun Iris

Caring for Here Comes the Sun iris is quite straightforward, but there are a few important tips to ensure success:

Sun and Soil

• Plant in full sun (at least 6 hours per day)
• Well-drained soil is ideal, but can tolerate a range of soil types
• Maintain a soil pH between 6.1-8.5

Planting

• Plant rhizomes in mid to late summer, before the first frost
• Set the rhizome so the top half is just above the soil surface
• Space rhizomes 12-24 inches apart depending on desired density
• Water thoroughly after planting

Care

• Water 1-2 times per week during the first year, then reduce frequency
• Apply fertilizer once a year, using a balanced 10-10-10 formula
• Avoid overcrowding by dividing iris clumps every 3-4 years
• Cut back foliage to 6 inches in late fall

Pests and Problems

• Can be susceptible to iris borers, leaf spot fungus, and soft rot
• Maintain good garden sanitation and avoid overcrowding to prevent disease
• Insecticidal soaps or neem oil can control iris borers if applied preventatively

Winter Care

• Mulch lightly in cold climates to protect rhizomes from temperature extremes
• Remove mulch in early spring so rhizomes don’t rot from excess moisture

Designing With Here Comes the Sun Iris

The vibrant golden color of Here Comes the Sun makes it a fun iris to design with. It provides a bold pop of color and immediately catches the eye.

To allow the iris to stand out, plant it with cool-toned companion plants like salvia, catmint, and lavender. These pastel purple tones complement the golden yellow beautifully.

For more contrast, pair Here Comes the Sun with dark red or wine colored flowers like ‘Black Cherry’ heirloom roses or ‘Firebird’ bee balm. The dark and light colors really make each other pop.

You can also use white flowering plants like ‘Iceberg’ roses, ‘Snowdrift’ astilbe, or ‘Maestro’ foxglove to create a bright, clean color scheme with the yellow iris as the star.

In cottage gardens, combine Here Comes the Sun with other cheerful heirloom varieties like columbines, poppies, coral bells, and dianthus. The eclectic mix of forms and colors suits the informal style.

For a real traffic-stopping display, plant dozens of Here Comes the Sun irises together in a bold mass planting. The sheer volume of gorgeous yellow will make anyone smile!

FAQs About Here Comes the Sun Iris

If you’re considering adding the Here Comes the Sun iris to your garden, you probably have a few questions. Here we’ll tackle some of the commonly asked questions about this variety.

Is Here Comes the Sun a repeat blooming iris?

No, unfortunately this iris only blooms once in the spring like most tall bearded irises. However, you can enjoy 3-4 weeks of flowers at that time.

Does Here Comes the Sun iris come back every year?

Yes! Iris rhizomes are perennials, meaning the plant will survive the winter and return in the spring. Here Comes the Sun is hardy even in cold zones 4-9.

How do I divide a Here Comes the Sun iris?

Dividing will help the irises grow and bloom their best. Divide clumps every 3-4 years in midsummer by digging up the entire clump and gently pulling the rhizomes apart. Replant the divisions 15 inches apart.

Is Here Comes the Sun fragrant?

No, most yellow and white iris varieties lack fragrance, including Here Comes the Sun. If you want a fragrant iris, look for varieties in shades of pink, purple, red or blue.

Does Here Comes the Sun need full sun?

Yes, this iris thrives best in a full sun location – ideally getting at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sun is especially important to fully develop the flowers.