I had a rather large iris bed at my last house but the former owners planted them.


I've recently ordered my first Iris rhizomes of 'Home of the Blues' from Schreiner's Gardens to plant down at our rural cabin property. I have a newbie's question. I've spent quite some time today browsing through the Iris database photos and information and noticed quite a variance in flower color of member photos within a named variety. I realize camera/photography can be a factor in variance, but do soil ph/makeup and/or fertilizer used (composition) also impact resulting bloom color in iris? I didn't see those two questions addressed in the very informative database introduction discussions.

@peggy8b
soil, water, weather conditions and fertilizer all seem to effect the size, growth and vigor of the iris plants, rhizomes and flowers. plus the ph, and composition of the garden soil.

there are many articles from various growers that are informative. off the top of my head, winterberry gardens comes to mind. they are listed in iris forum's alphabetical, flagged list of iris growers at the top of the iris discussion board. hope this helps getting started?

The longer you do photography, you'll see that lighting conditions can produce huge differences in color from one time of day to another, even with the same camera.

I'll definitely start exploring the vendor suggestions. Thanks so much. I figured all those things were a factor in color variation. Those effect so many flower colorations. Was just looking for confirmation that iris were no different.

also peggy, find if there's a local iris society in your area, they're the best people to give you advice because their growing conditions would be similar to yours than mine, from coastal southern california.

Thanks for that suggestion, Daphne. I just Googled and the Central TX Iris Society in Belton meets right here in Temple! http://www.kenfuchs42.net/belt.... No activity posted on their website since 2020, but it HAS been a wacky year, so I'll give them a call to find out when they're holding their next meeting/event. I'm not usually a "joiner", so I haven't even made any Master Gardener plant sales locally. Guess I need to start sticking my toes in those waters as well.

Very good idea. Too bad it is late in the bloom season in your area. But iris people love to talk about plants at any time.

Peggy ~ How lucky you are! I have to drive quite a ways to go to any of my regional meetings. I bet you will enjoy them. (Of course, I live "out in the Boonies"!)

peggy, you're welcome. i know you'll find a great group with loads of information, and helpful hints, with great shares to get you on your way to a wonderful journey with irises.

I hope so ladies. I've loved iris all my life. My Dad was military and we moved every 2 years and seems like there were irises either on the yard of our rental houses, or within walking distance to enjoy my entire life. What a sight they are in full bloom. Not sure why I never grew them, honestly. So many varieties out there with such clever names, I might add. I'm not at all fond of the scent though, at least the varieties I've ever smelled before. Iris, Vitex trees, hyacinths and marigolds are the only flowers that literally nauseate me if I get too close to them. Not an allergy, just a revulsion of the scent. But in the larger scheme of things in the plant world, 4 on my "not so much" list ain't bad. I just keep my distance from the actual blooms and I'm OK with even those. Still love the heck out of their beautiful blooms, on all 4 plants.