My friend won an iris fan a couple days ago. We know this isn't the ideal time of year to plant, but she needs to decide if she should go ahead and put it in the ground with mulch on top of it or if she should over winter it in a garage in a pot. We are in the southern part of zone 6b. Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi, Heather. to ATP.

Is it a TB iris? Is the plant bare-root now? If so, I'd think it wouldn't matter either way. I'd be very cautious about mulching it, however; if the mulch blows over the crown and settles in it may invite rot. Do watch it for excessive frost heaving, whichever planting method you choose. If it heaves, press it gently back into the soil until it makes firm contact, but don't let the crown sink below the soil level.

Put it in the ground and water in well. Put a rock on the "toe" or make a wire staple of appropriate size to put over it to hold it down. I have had some which I was discarding survive on the surface. It will take an extra year to establish.

I've planted into December, with a brick holding it in place (same as Rick's thought), knowing I won't get blooms the following year. If I don't secure them the squirrels find the nice soft, soil and bury their nuts as they uproot the TBI.

These are GREAT suggestions- Thanks so much!

Yes, this is a tall bearded iris - sorry I forgot to include that detail. I believe she won it bare root, but don't know for sure.

I have planted this late and did as Paul suggested and put a small rock to hold it in place but kept the mulch back off of it as much as possible.