Just was wondering if it was too late to plant Iris. It's been crazy here with work,kids and a death in the family. My gardening has fallen behind. Thanks! Kim

I would suggest to plant next year in Iowa. Work on the condition of the bed until then.

My problem is that I still have some that I ordered still sitting in the garage. If I don't plant them won't it be to late next spring?

Pot them up and put them in a protected place outside during winter? That's what I do with iris that arrive this late.

I planted several this late last year that I didn't get around to planting earlier. They all survived, and a few even bloomed. I'm not sure potting them and leaving them outside would provide them with many benefits IMHO. The roots would be warmer in the ground. You might have to weight them down with something like a rock or a brick to keep them from heaving out of the ground. I wouldn't wait any longer to plant them if possible though. Good luck and let us know the outcome next spring.

P/S: I'd give them a good soaking over night before planting though. Just the roots, not the rhizomes.

I planted in November last year. I used some of the wood shavings vendors use as packing material as insulation around the rhizomes. Just enough light got thru for growth. Then at night I covered them with small plastic tubs. I did this for about 4 weeks, Then I just stopped covering them but left the insulation. They did great. But the ones I put in pots did not do well at all. But it was my first attempt at overwintering in pots. So I'm sure that is the reason they did poorly.

Blessings

I agree with Tom and John. If you do not want to keep them in pots indefinitely plant them in the ground. Put a brick or rock over the rhizome to keep it from heaving when the roots begin to push into the soil.

It's late for our zone, for sure, Kim....but, I'd follow Tom's advice....give them an overnight soak, get 'em in the ground, and find some rocks, bricks...or something, to use as "hold-downs. You won't need the "bricks" until the ground starts to freeze, though. After the soil DOES freeze, some pine needles, evergreen branches, or anything that won't 'pack down' could be used as a mulch to KEEP it frozen (it's the "freeze- thaw-freeze-thaw" that you need to avoid)until early spring, would help. Any mulch should be removed ....for us about the first of March, on the average.

Good advice Kim. I just received 2 varieties I am trying to nurse also. Started them in pots for about 2 weeks then will put into ground. Heaving here is bad especially with the high-in-the-ground planting I do because of the heavy clay soil, so anchors are good.

We use a pine needle mulch for new plants. Remove it in the spring. We also do the rock bit.