Beverly Sills Bearded Iris Plant

1. Planting: Plant or repot within 4 weeks of arrival. Choose a location with full sun and loose, well-drained soil. Set the rhizome horizontally with its top at or slightly above the soil surface, leaving it exposed rather than burying it deeply. Space plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow airflow and future growth.

2. Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and keep the soil lightly moist while roots establish. Once established, water during extended dry periods, allowing the soil to drain between waterings. Avoid consistently wet soil, which can cause rhizome rot.

3. Pruning: Remove faded flower stalks at the base after blooming. Leave the green, sword-shaped foliage in place so it can replenish the rhizome, then trim it back after it yellows in fall. Divide crowded clumps every three to four years, preferably in late summer.

4. Fertilizing: Apply a low-nitrogen fertilizer in early spring as growth begins and again after flowering if needed. Keep fertilizer away from direct contact with the rhizome, and avoid high-nitrogen products that encourage leafy growth at the expense of blooms.