Border irises

Flowers of bearded iris can be blue, yellow, white, pink, maroon, or orange; whereas Siberian irises are available in violets, blues and creamy yellows. Bearded iris's blade-like leaves emerge from a thick, horizontal root (actually a stem called a rhizome) in spring. Other species have greener, generally upright leaves.

Border irises do well in any soil that drains freely in a position in full sun.

These irises dislike very wet soil. Congestion can inhibit flowering, so dig up and divide plants every few years to give them the space they need.

After a hot summer, some irises flower for a second time.