Here's a dumb question..... but I wanted to post this anyhow.
I have a number of Iris where I have duplicates and triplicates
that I will be planting in the garden. My question is, how close
together can I plant these same iris varieties ? Can they be planted
right next to one another ? Do I plant them facing all in the same
direction?

http://irises.org/About_Irises... you may find some useful info here.

crowrita1 said:http://irises.org/About_Irises/Cultural%20Information/Grow_Bearded.html you may find some useful info here.

Yes, I've seen that before from the AIS. It is very confusing. It talks about spacing rhizomes 12-inches apart - then it shows a triangle and indicates the 3 rhizomes are spaced 8-inches apart. Duh ! So, what gives here ?

If you are planting "different" cultivars of iris.....and you don't want them to bet "mixed in a clump"....plant them at least 12" apart ( I always space at least 18', and usually 24"....so I don't have to dig the clump so often), BUT if you want to make an "instant" clump, using multiple rhizomes of the SAME cultivar.....they're saying to use the "triangle method".

The idea of keeping the rhizomes apart by at least 12 inches is because of their growth. If you plant closer, you will need to dig them up sooner since they will begin to blend in with their neighbor. The tri-angle senerio is for creating a "mini-clump" with one variety. I don't believe they are trying to indicate you do the 8 inch triangle thing with different cultivars.

Arlyn is just faster than I am at posting

and we agree!

Misawa77 said:The idea of keeping the rhizomes apart by at least 12 inches is because of their growth. If you plant closer, you will need to dig them up sooner since they will begin to blend in with their neighbor. The tri-angle senerio is for creating a "mini-clump" with one variety. I don't believe they are trying to indicate you do the 8 inch triangle thing with different cultivars.

No - I have multiples of the SAME cultivar, and want to plant them together - I have (3) of Quaker Lady,
(3) of Prairie Sunset, (3) of Queen of May, (2) of Argus Pheasant . . . . etc., so I want to keep the same
cultivars planted together.

Then the AIS recommends the 8 inch triangle method for your cultivars (I would do "Argus Pheasant" in a line with the "toe" at opposite ends). I would plant your "mini-clump" triangles about 20-24 inches away from any other clumps so they have room to grow.

Unfortunately, I do not have the space or the garden size to spread out clumps that far apart
My one Iris garden is a rectangle - It is 9-ft. long by 2 1/2-ft wide. I don't know how many "Triangles"
I'll be able to plant in the space. I already have some iris rhizomes already planted in that space.
But I will do my best. Thanks for the recommendations.

Quaker Lady is a good grower and makes big clumps. If the rhizomes are small I have made triangles smaller than 8 inches of QL. You will just have to separate the clump sooner if they really take off in their growth.

Patrick -- you're going to need more land.

Make sure they are facing the same direction or they will walk away from each other.

Muddymitts said:Patrick -- you're going to need more land.

LOL. I have (2) Iris garden areas . . . . .

irisarian said:Make sure they are facing the same direction or they will walk away from each other.

If they are facing in the same direction .... that does not coincide with the AIS "Triangle" diagram.

The triangle is placement of space. They should not be pointing a different way. I can't draw or I would show you what I mean.

Patrick,
You can plant somewhat close in that 9' bed., 15 to 18" between clumps left to right. Try staggering the clumps of each variety in a zigzag fashion with 6 clumps in the rear row and 5 in the front, but make the front ones offset from the rear with clumps centered on the spaces in the rear row giving a 15-18" diagonal spacing. This will allow a few more clumps to fit in the "small" area.
dave

irisarian said:The triangle is placement of space. They should not be pointing a different way. I can't draw or I would show you what I mean.

Do you mean the rhizome sides should all face in towards each other? I was wondering what ways to plant them myself after digging and dividing a bunch for the first time.

OK -- first of all, Lucy is a master Irisian, and anything that she has to say is valuable. Dave is also a smarty!!!!

But -- when I want to create a clump as fast as possible, I plant three rhizomes with the *toes* facing each other -- therefore the *heel* is facing outward. This gives the increases room to develop on the side of the heel, which is the mother.

Hope this makes sense.

yes I claim each rhizome facing the same direction. Not very coherent am I?

This is not of earth shaking importance but I agree with Lucy...If you plant three do so in a triangle with the toes pointing the same direction. Increase usually comes on the heel of the rhizome so this method forms a clump. Toes pointed inward can end up with a clump with an empty center. In you own garden do just what you want. Experiment. It's not going to make a great deal of difference. Are we grinding it a little fine