stardating said:Should I divide and transplant randomly or should I be meticulous about what is put where? Which do you prefer or think would look better overall?
Thank you, Nicole
Hi Nicole,
First of all, I would like to
you to the Iris Forum!
Second....I think that you should make your gardens in the way that pleases you most. Try your first option, and if you find out that doesn't work for you, then change it into something better.
The main thing will have to be to remember that they eventually grow into clumps and allow space for that. But how you arrange your gardens is really up to you.
I have mine in a variety of beds...in the Dark Side Garden, The White Flower Border, the Hot Bed...and also have two beds of irises in rows by themselves. I will be doing some rearranging this coming year, according to my ability, or if I can get some help. So iris beds are not "written in stone ".
If you find that you want to make changes after a season or two, the best time to dig them up is from July to fall, depending on your climate, but not before July. This gives them a chance to rest after blooming and become reestablished.
Sometimes you may find that some you have are not really to your liking after a while, or some just don't grow well or give you that look that you desire. Then, you also may find new ones that you really like...so for me, it is ever-changing. Not "written in stone". Take the ones that don't work in your setting, and put some new ones in.
Then...if you really want to get creative, you can start to hybridize your own. Of course, this takes a lot more room and time. For that purpose, you may consider putting them in rows away from your landscaped planned gardens.
Good luck, and let us know what you decide. And take LOTS of pictures!
