WHAT SORT OF SOIL AND CLIMATE DO IRISES LIKE?
Bearded Iris and Spuria – neutral to alkaline soil is best, needs to be well drained. If extremely acid may benefit from a little lime. Best suited to climates with relatively dry summers and cool to cold winters. Louisiana – need damp – wet acid soil. If your soil is neutral or alkaline then plant in very large pots with a mix of old cow manure and acidic potting mix. Immerse pots two thirds in water. So long as adequate summer moisture is provided, climate is not a problem. One of the few irises to do well in tropical areas. Siberian Iris – need damp- boggy soil, preferably fairly neutral. They need frosty winters to flower properly. Pacific Coast Iris – need acid soil. Better in areas with relatively dry summers and cool damp winters. Do well in largish pots of acidic soil. Japanese Iris – need acid soil. Should not to be immersed in water through winter and need good summer moisture. Need some winter cooling.
