These iris photos are from my garden last summer. The iris pallida came from Old House Gardens and the others came from Stouts in Oklahoma. After spending the winter under a layer of compost (which I'll carefully dig in around the plants this spring and pull back from the rhizomes so they are not too deep in the soil) and topped with protective straw, can't wait to see what they do this year.

What does everyone use to stake your large, top heavy iris stalks? If mine grow anything like last year, I know I'll need something to keep them upright.

I highly recommend these durable 36" plant stakes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...

I use a bit of velcro with each one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...

At the end of the summer when I pull up the stakes, I wrap the pieces of velcro around their respective stakes before putting them into storage. That way, both the stakes and velcro are re-used and ready to go in the spring, without having to cut off a new piece of velcro from the roll.

I like the fact that the stakes are narrow enough to pound into our rocky soil, but strong, and resistant to rust due to the plastic outer covering. They are also somewhat unobtrusive in the garden, being green.

Once upon a time I had those green bamboo stakes, and they quickly broke/rotted. Never again!

I use loop stakes. Also green plastic coated but no need for me to fasten the stalk to the stake. You just loop the stake around the stalk.

I have those also, Leslie. Sometimes I use the one type, and sometimes the other.

The loop type allows a couple inches of play, whereas I can count on the straight stakes to keep the stalks precisely vertical. But the loop type is ever so slightly faster if I'm in a hurry, for instance if rain is beginning.

DaisyDo said: I highly recommend these durable 36" plant stakes

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...

I use a bit of velcro with each one.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d...

I use something similar.
To secure them, I *do* have a green tape. A garden tape. But I think what's best is to take a pair of ruined nylon stockings (or not ruined, whatever), and cut them up so that you have nylon rings. Then you just tie the stalk around. It stretches so it's not suffocating or cutting into the stalk.

I haven't used velcro... I worry about it being too rigid ... But it probably works.

Lestv said: I use loop stakes. Also green plastic coated but no need for me to fasten the stalk to the stake. You just loop the stake around the stalk.

I really want to get some of the loops or the big half-circle supports...
... I'm just... I'm just so cheap though ...

I have some of the half circle supports, too. I use them to keep up my Russian sages, to keep them from flopping all over the mums that are in front of them. I also have peony rings, which I use both for my peonies and, smaller ones for the yarrow. All these work well.

Wheezy - I have been able to find packs of 20 occasionally on Amazon which were cheap enough to be in my budget. Garden centers sell them for way too much.

I had a few of my bamboos go to seed, and had to cut them down. (Bamboos die after flowering).. I won't have to buy any for several years now.. So, bamboo stakes and a twist tie.
Jewlgurl, Is your 3rd picture the one you got as pallida? Is it actually that pinkish tone, or did your camera alter the color? The color as shown looks like one I grow called Pink Satin.. first picture.. 2nd is pallida 'Aurea Variegata' (with a bunch of AKA's)..

Henhouse said: I had a few of my bamboos go to seed, and had to cut them down. (Bamboos die after flowering).. I won't have to buy any for several years now.. So, bamboo stakes and a twist tie.
Jewlgurl, Is your 3rd picture the one you got as pallida? Is it actually that pinkish tone, or did your camera alter the color? The color as shown looks like one I grow called Pink Satin.. first picture.. 2nd is pallida 'Aurea Variegata' (with a bunch of AKA's)..

Wow really lovely!

In a pinch, I've found that getting a small stick and a piece of tape helps.

Simply, you push the stick into the ground right behind the base of the fan with the stalk and then wrap some not super sticky tape around the stick and the stalk so it won't move.

Always works for me in a penny pinch!

@Lestv , Leslie, your Daphne banner photo is so pretty!

And, Wheezy, your garden is gorgeous with that clump of variegated pallida! So pretty.

Thank you Daisy!

Sherry,
The color of my pallida is pale, pale lavender with a very pale blue undertone. Not so much pink. One of my favorite iris because of it's scent - can't get enough of that bubblegum - raspberry 'flavor'.

Your iris are gorgeous - always love those variegated pallida leaves. It's on my wish list. 😍

Thanks all - for the stake ideas. I have some fairly stiff heavier gauge wire that I can bend into hoop stakes. I'll give this a try.