Old Fashioned Yellow Bearded Iris
There's something about a clump of old fashioned yellow bearded iris that feels like spring sunshine at an old homeplace. These tough, dependable heirloom irises have been passed from gardener to gardener across the South for generations, and they keep coming back year after year with very little fuss. Plant them once, share them often, and they'll brighten your garden for a lifetime.
Blooms: Cheerful yellow flowers with the classic bearded iris form — upright standards above gently drooping falls, each with a fuzzy "beard" at its center. They bloom in spring on sturdy stems about 2-3 feet tall above fans of gray-green, sword-shaped foliage that stays attractive long after the flowers fade.
Planting: Plant the rhizomes in late summer or fall in full sun (at least 6 hours a day) and well-drained soil; bearded irises will rot in soggy ground. Set each rhizome at the soil surface, with the top of the rhizome just showing and the roots spread out below, and firm the soil around the roots. Don't bury the rhizome or cover it with mulch, since bearded irises like to "bake" in the sun. Space them about 12-18 inches apart and water well after planting.
After Blooming: Snip off spent flower stalks at the base, but leave the foliage alone so it can feed the rhizome for next year. Every 3-4 years, when the clumps get crowded and blooming slows, divide them in late summer and share the extras with friends and family.
Landscaping Tip: Yellow bearded iris looks wonderful planted with our old fashioned purple bearded iris, or in drifts along a sunny walk, fence line, or mailbox bed.