Buying iris bulbs?

September 20, 2024 11:23 PM

A friend asked for Iris bulbs in lieu of gifts. Where do I go to order good quality bulbs? Any other tips on how to get something that will be special for this gardener?
posted by metahawk to Home & Garden (8 answers total)

There are a few different types of irises, some come as bulbs, but the big showy ones are rhizomes. So first of all, did this gardener specify? Also, where is their garden, like region in the world and hardiness zone? How experienced are they? Do you know the approximate environment of their garden (very sunny, mostly shaded, sandy soil or moist clay soil…)? Are they the kind of gardener who likes specific tools for specific jobs or do they use the same bucket and spade for everything? There are not enough details in your question to answer it.
posted by Mizu at 12:32 AM on September 21

I have always had great experiences with Breck’s Bulbs Canada and I see there is a US site. Do take care about zone and amount of light. Here they ship only at planting time for the zone you specify but if I recall correctly iris time is fall so you should be good.
posted by warriorqueen at 4:25 AM on September 21

You may run into difficulty as most growers have been shipping bearded iris since summer and are wrapping things up in September. I've looked at a couple of growers websites and they're mainly sold out and some have completely sold out and are not selling anymore in 2024.

For a slightly different iris, you can order bulbs for rock garden iris which would be planted as the weather gets colder and bloom early in the springtime (again the questions that Mizu asked about the location of your friend's garden and what kind of iris they like - bearded, Japanese, Siberian, species iris, etc - are important for people to help with your gift). Another supplier of fall-planted rock garden irises is Brent & Becky's .

I can ask someone at work about the suppliers they like best for bearded iris on Monday (or Tuesday as Monday is going to be a bit crazy).
posted by sciencegeek at 5:01 AM on September 21 [4 favorites]

Assuming location in the US, there's a handful of lovely native Iris species that are beautiful and underutilized. Unlike exotic species, these will also help restore the ecosystem. E.g. Prairie Moon has good stock, Copper Iris is amazing but not as commonly sold at large retail stores. Getting some from (e.g. from a small nursery on Etsy) might make a nice uncommon gift.
posted by SaltySalticid at 5:36 AM on September 21 [3 favorites]

I have some of those rock garden iris! They were not called that when I bought them... I believe they were labeled spring blooming iris. They are among the first things to sprout here in Chicago, around the time when crocus bloom. Extremely interesting and beautiful. They appear first as full showy (but small) flowers, and only as the flowers fade do the leaves start to show. Once the flowers are gone they look like a small clump of green grass, and of course come back each year.

I recommend them, but if someone is asking for "iris" they are much more likely talking about bearded iris which bloom in the early-mid summer and are much, much larger and taller. As others have mentioned you plant those as sprouted rhizomes in spring. I'm not sure they'd survive the winter if you just planted them now, as they wouldn't have time enough to fully establish their root systems. (assuming northern hemisphere)

Perhaps find a good quality grower online and buy a gift card for next spring? My mom has ordered iris online and through catalogs and has always been very happy with the purchase and results.
posted by SoberHighland at 7:33 AM on September 21 [2 favorites]

Response by poster: some details: They are in growing zone 7 in the US. They have a large yard and they are very enthusiastic gardeners. This particular request came in response to the death of a family member where they said instead of flower arrangements, they would like to receive iris bulbs since irises were the loved one's favorite flower. That's all I know and I would rather not ask any follow up questions at this time.

I am OK ordering something now and having it delivered later this fall or even spring if that seemed to be the better options.
posted by metahawk at 10:39 AM on September 21 [1 favorite]

Appropriate for Zone 7; "Ships at the right time for fall planting":

White Flower Farm Dutch Iris Bulb Mix

White Flower Farm Iris hollandica 'Discovery'
posted by Iris Gambol at 11:48 AM on September 21

My favorite place to order bulbs is Old House Gardens. It's a small company run by delightful people that specializes in rare heirloom bulbs. You can order iris now and they will ship in April when it's the proper planting time, and the rhizomes will be freshly dug and ready to go.

I grow Iris pallida "Dalmatica" from them. It's been known since the 16th century and smells like grape candy when it blooms.
posted by oneirodynia at 6:59 PM on September 21