The Gardener's Iris Book

Fall is swiftly approaching. Now is the time to plant Irises for bloom next spring and summer. Before visiting your local garden center, may I suggest picking up a copy of The Gardener's Iris Book by William Shear? This book was published by The Taunton Press in 1998 and is available at their website.

The Gardener's Iris Book is written by a man who has grown Iris in various regions of the United States. In my opinion, this gives him outstanding qualifications to write this book. He bases his recommendations for growing the various Iris species on three fundamental principles: 1) learn about the natural habitat of the plant so you can provide the proper conditions for it to grow well; 2) don't use pesticides except as a last resort; 3) plants come from healthy soil, therefore, feed your soil organic matter so the micro-organisms that make for a healthy soil can live.

Within the first chapter, Meet the Irises, Shear provides excellent illustrations of the parts of the Iris flower, information on rhizomes and bulbs. Then he takes you on a tour of the various Iris genus ranging from the familiar bearded Iris to the desert dwelling Oncocyclus Irises, beardless Irises, and those growing from bulbs. This chapter also presents detailed instructions on growing Iris from original plantings to the "thinning out" process that occurs with most perennials, in addition to a thorough discussion of diseases and pests of these plants.

Shear then dedicates a chapter to each of these Iris groupings: bearded Iris, Siberian Iris, Louisiana Iris, Iris that grow from bulbs, Iris that grow near or in the water, Iris that grow in deserts and other dry spots, and then a a chapter dedicated to Iris that grow in specialized spots like deep shade. For each group of Iris, he provides excellent cultural information and beautiful photographs of the species discussed.

The last chapter of the book encourages even the amateur to try their hand at hybridizing their own Iris from seed! Careful directions for growing Iris from seed to the first bloom are given. If you follow the directions, you just may create the next award winning variety.

No book on Iris would be complete without information on the American Iris Society, a list of Iris nurseries, and suggested books and computer resources for finding additional information.

If you have any interest in developinng an Iris garden, this book must be added to your collection! In addition, visit the American Iris Society website and subcribe to the email group called iris-talk.

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