I have a question about plant spacing. I am in the process of building several raised beds for use next year after the soil settles and matures. In the meantime, I have other raised beds I want to to use to temporarily house this year's purchases - to be replanted next fall. Most of the current, unused beds are 6'x4'. Is there any reason I couldn't put 11 single fan plants per bed? Or even more a bit closer? I was thinking of a row of 4 in the back and front with a row of 3 in the middle (the beds are seen as horizontals). That way the view of the plants is alternating. I don't know what to expect in growth between now and next summer, but I would be surprised if the single fans can radiate out enough to be crowded. Advice please? Thanks!

@cinvasko/ cindy, have you considered potting them up for temporary housing? then next year, carefully unpotting them into to a nicely dug hole with all the amendments you prefer?

since i don't live with cold or snow, i don't know how they will fare? this is what my preferred method is, rather than planting them directly into the ground. this way, it gives the rhizomes a chance to establish a good root system, and gives them a fighting chance for survival.

perhaps others can weigh-in, especially those who live closer to 6a or va?

You could easily fit 11 rhizomes in that space. If you are only leaving them there for one year, I think they will have sufficient space to thrive if you plant them is 12 to 14 inches apart.

I'm finding that potting new iris in 2 gal or 3 gal pots gives them a chance to grow nice fat roots, ready after a period of time to be un-potted and transplanted into well prepared, amended soil as deep as possible. I've been digging down 6 or 8 inches, but will try to go deeper for next season. I find it easier to gauge the water needs when in pots.

We don't have many days of freezing weather here in CA, however.

Thanks everyone, I am taking Robin's advice, because it was the answer I was wanting to hear, lol. Planting anything in pots is a recipe for death where I live. I'm in the Appalachian Mountains at an altitude of 2100 feet and the weather is insanely unpredictable - and I'm in a location that has terrific winter winds sustained for weeks (as well as lots of ice storms). Even if it was feasible, the cost of pots for the 90-ish iris I purchased this season would be cost prohibitive. I will be able to place approx. 1/2 of them into established 4 yr old beds with 20" spacing, but most will still get moved to other beds next fall. Thank you everyone!

cinvasko said:…Even if it was feasible, the cost of pots for the 90-ish iris I purchased this season would be cost prohibitive….

Cindy. With buying 90-ish new irises this season sounds like you'll fit right in here.

Cindy ~ to the Iris Forum! Yes, you will fit in just fine!

haha, you're all such wonderful enablers, you have my most sincere thanks for those 90 iris!

@cinvasko
I originally planted on 16" centers and there was still open space around the plants in the second year and not much crowding in the 3rd., 20" should easily be good for three years. Because some of my plantings are four years old and crowded, I am going to 24" this year as at my age I suspect this is the last time I will be transplanting.

Thank you, Charlotte - that kind of documentation you have on growth rate for your garden is very helpful!

Charlotte ~ Then what will you do when the clumps get overcrowded after 4 years? Or 5?

I have to think of these things, too. Mine are too close together for the long run.

I know mine are too close together, Evelyn. I have too many.

Uh, oh...what are we all going to do?

janwax said:I know mine are too close together, Evelyn. I have too many.

ditto

Another ditto.

evelyninthegarden said:Uh, oh...what are we all going to do?

We'll just have to muster up our energies, get out there, and be happy we have spring to look forward to!

mine are all spaced apx. 24" apart and usually don't have to be thinned until 4-5 years.

Hippie ~ Excellent!

evelyninthegarden said:Uh, oh...what are we all going to do?

Thin!

evelyninthegarden said:Uh, oh...what are we all going to do?

Thin! And share the extras with Iris friends!!