I have a large bed of Irises which are absolutely beautiful until the leaves start to die when they look a mess. Anyone have any suggestion on what I can plant in front of them that will not hide them when they are in bloom but when the leaves start to die. Also, when is the best time to divide them in Southern Ontario (Zone 5-6)
I know what you mean BB, mine are like that, its my first year with Irises but I want more especially this blue. I will begin with: You won't want annother tall plant in front. What about Dahlias, they can be any height and removed at year end. I used a tom - tom pot i think they are called to plant my Iris in because I did'nt want slugs after it..It was in an ordinary pot in the picture.
You don't write what kind of Irises do you have. If you have rhizomatous Bearded Irises, that are most common, than the best time to divide and replant them is soon (4 - 6 weeks) after blooming, regardless of your growing zone. If you have bulbuous, clump-forming Irises, as, for example, Iris reticulata on Aisya's picture, than you should divide and replant them in the fall.
The best source of gardening ideas is the other people's gardens. There are garden tours organized by the local garden clubs in Ontario. Here and here you can find out about the events closest to you. Even if your area is not listed there don't give up and search the Net for "garden club your place" or "garden tour your place" or "garden show your place". Aisya's suggestion re. planting Dahlias among or at front of your Irises sounds interesting, but there are other possibilities, too.
I wish I could grow a Peony lol If someone else plants it it grows, If I plant one it does'nt. I can't tell you how many times I tried to plant a pink. I believe its been about seven years of trying. I got a bud once years ago, just a pinhead, no more. I just tried again this Spring but again just leaf or two. I should give up because each time I try it costs £3.50 a plant.
This is not a thread about peonies, but the most common mistake when planting peonies is that people plant them too deep. The crown must be at the surface or they will not bloom well. They are generally easy and long lived.
> Anyone have any suggestion on what I can plant in front of them that will not hide them when they are in bloom but when the leaves start to die< >Peonies< Not necessarily directly in front throughout the planting. Hybrid lupines are also harmonious companions but unlike the peonies these also deteriorate after the May-June flowering peak. But wen you plant groupings of tall bearded irises of some size you are basically designating the area these occupy as an early summer display - except when using re-blooming cultivars that maintain a more presentable foliage appearance through summer and bloom again later in the season. These are much better value than the more conventional once-blooming varieties. Garden centers here often have them in season, mail order specialists stock them also.
