![]() ![]() Plant the seeds straight into the garden in fall and they should emerge again come springtime. Iris virginica seeds do not respond well to being stored and, if allowed to dry out, will no longer be viable. You’ll know the seeds are ready when the pod turns brown and dries out. When propagating from seed, plant immediately after harvesting when the seeds are still ripe. Replant the viable rhizomes back into the garden, ensuring they have plenty of sunshine and water to reestablish themselves. This allows the plant to focus its energy on rhizome regrowth, limiting any potential transplant stress. New, healthy rhizomes will be plump with plenty of leaves, while older ones will have a woody texture.Ĭut the leaves to around a third of their height. Use this time to remove any unhealthy rhizomes or dying leaves. Depending on the age of your plant, you may be able to pull the rhizomes apart, but if not, they can be cut with a clean, sharp knife. To divide, gently lift the plant out of the soil with a fork, ensuring you do not damage the rhizomes. Divide after the plant has finished flowering to enjoy the best of its blooms for that season and limit the risk of bacterial soft rot. When the leaves begin to yellow, you’ll know the plants are ready to be propagated. Dividing Southern Blue Flagsĭivision is best done in late summer or early autumn. Alternatively, you can harvest the seeds and replant them immediately, straight into the garden. When kept in your garden, it is best to divide and replant the rhizomes every few years to promote flowering. When left to spread on their own, the clumps can become congested, preventing further prolific growth and flowering. In the wild, Virginia Iris spreads by dropping seeds or slowly extending the rhizomes. Propagation There are a few ways to correctly propagate the iris virginica. They are also native to the US, a great alternative to some of the invasive Iris species that disrupt the local environments. This makes them ideal for tricky spots like ponds, or planted in rain gardens, where they will grow without fuss. ![]() ![]() These plants provide the classic Iris look we all love in wetland conditions. However, this shouldn’t stop you from growing it in your own backyard. They are skipped over in favor of their more popular ornamental relatives. Southern Blue Flag (and Northern Blue Flag, too) is mostly found in the wild and not typically grown in home gardens. However, Northern Blue Flag is understandably more cold-hardy, growing well in USDA zones 3-9. Both Iris species are incredibly similar, growing in the same wetland conditions and sporting similar flowers. This plant is commonly compared to its Northern counterpart, Iris versicolor. The delicate flowers are surrounded by clumps of sharp green leaves that add volume to the plant. Each petal is decorated with deep violet veins that stand out against the light base. The yellow patch is believed to guide pollinators to the nectar inside the center of the flower. I ris Virginica is Native to the Eastern and Southern coastal regions of the United States, it features bluish-purple blooms surrounding a yellow and white center. The genus name comes from the Greek for ‘rainbow’, seemingly referring to the colorful flowers found across these fascinating species. The Virginia Iris is a member of the Iris genus, containing hundreds of species and cultivars with similar detailed, interesting flower types. ![]()
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