Can you grow irises in zone 9b?

Sure can. I'm in 9a and have no problem when I grew them.

creativeclover said:Sure can. I'm in 9a and have no problem when I grew them.

Thanks, when should I plant the rhizomes?

Now's a good time. Late July through September is planting time for bearded iris in the northern hemisphere.

DaisyDo said:Now's a good time. Late July through September is planting time for bearded iris in the northern hemisphere.

@DaisyDo Thanks - can they survive 100 degree-weather and sandy soil? How come I don't see anyone selling them here?

I have a friend in Phoenix who I send irises to, and the do ok there. She has to water of course, and provides some partial shade during the hottest parts of the year. Arilbred Iris irises are often called desert irises. They thrive in hot dry conditions. You might want to start with them.

tveguy3 said:I have a friend in Phoenix who I send irises to, and the do ok there. She has to water of course, and provides some partial shade during the hottest parts of the year. Arilbred Iris irises are often called desert irises. They thrive in hot dry conditions. You might want to start with them.

@tveguy3 I don't really like the arilbreds but I like the bearded irises - if I put them in a shaded pot, give them good soil, and water them regularly, will they do well even in the summer?

When the temperature reaches 110 degrees here Melbourne, my lilies and agapanthus wilt and go brown but my irises are not in flower in summer and they are fine. My soil is clay so I don't know if it is different for sandy soils.

Totally_Amazing said:When the temperature reaches 110 degrees here Melbourne, my lilies and agapanthus wilt and go brown but my irises are not in flower in summer and they are fine. My soil is clay so I don't know if it is different for sandy soils.

Thank you - FYI, I am not planning to plant them in the ground, and I will not plant them in sand.

Her husband dug a deep wide hole and filled it with good top soil for the irises. That seemed two work well for her. She tried some in raised beds, and that didn't work so well, I think the soil got to hot. I would think partial shade would help, but not full shade.

tveguy3 said:Her husband dug a deep wide hole and filled it with good top soil for the irises. That seemed two work well for her. She tried some in raised beds, and that didn't work so well, I think the soil got to hot. I would think partial shade would help, but not full shade.

Thanks!

I grow a lot of iris here in Northern California. We get to 110 to 115 numerous times a year. It can be over 100 everyday for three months in a row in the summertime. The iris that are in the ground do better than those in the pots. My soil is loam, but other areas around here have red clay and the iris do well there too.

The Sun Country Iris Society is in Phoenix, they would be a good resource if you want to check them out.

http://www.suncountryiris.org/...

Thanks everyone! Guess I'll have to start planting soon.

If you can, when you plant, do it to where they get afternoon shade. They will thank you for it.

I don't much care for arils either, but lately I've seen some very pretty arilbreds. You understand the distinction, right?

DaisyDo said:I don't much care for arils either, but lately I've seen some very pretty arilbreds. You understand the distinction, right?

Yes, I do.

For example, this one:


And this one:


And this one:


And this one:


And this one:

DaisyDo said:For example, this one:

• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Artful Accent')
• Uploaded by Dachsylady86

And this one:

• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Shimmy Shake')
• Uploaded by dirtdorphins

And this one:

• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Glow of Love')
• Uploaded by dirtdorphins

And this one:

• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Black Cherry Truffle')
• Uploaded by dirtdorphins

And this one:

• Arilbred Iris (Iris 'Heart of Hearts')
• Uploaded by lovemyhouse

Yep - an arilbred is the hybrid between an aril iris and a bearded iris.

So, if you have any trouble getting your TBs to survive, just remember that these pretty compromises between arils and TBs might have increased survival in your hot, dry area, without totally sacrificing the TB form. Just something to keep in mind.

Though I don't care for arils, I wouldn't mind having any of the above hybrids. I'm just not sure they would like my wetter, humid climate.