Garden Design Ideas for Irises

After my irises bloomed I realized that they needed to be thinned out and since the weather was cool I thought I would start this garden project rather than in July when the weather is extremely hot. Normally I transplant into a garden bed; along the southern side of the house, I will also add irises by the driveway and many are planted on the southern slope.   I decided to create an eye-appealing iris flower garden in my backyard.

Here is a photo of one of my gardens  

Sun is a factor when growing irises and the only area that appealed to these flowers' needs was in the middle of my yard.  So I decided to design a garden that was an eye-appealing feature for my backyard.

The area for the flower garden was 9 x 10 and I  needed to transplant 46 irises into the new garden.  I decided to turn this area into a garden for the birds and the butterflies.

I would need the following; a bird bath, stepping stones, and 4 bags of potting soil.  I shopped the sales at the garden center at Walmart.com I bought Miracle-Gro 4 cubic feet of potting soil and landscapers fabric. and stepping stones. Then I shopped for a bird bath. I liked the solar fountain because they offer water circulation which will provide fresher water for the birds to drink.

 

This easy eye-appealing iris garden would appeal to the senses.  Here is my garden design idea for my divided and transplanted irises.  

Attracting Birds with Backyard Habitat

Attract birds to your backyard by providing a habitat of perennial flowers, shrubs, trees and reliable water source.  If you provide the birds with their needs then you will develop a following of feathered friends.

When the birds visit your yard and garden for water or to feed from your plant seeds you will find that their visits are enjoyable, however the birds will be also providing you with a valuable service as they are a natural way to rid you yard and garden of insects.

Feeding Birds

Keep the birds happy by providing nourishment.  Buy wildlife shrubs and trees that that are fruit or nut bearing.  Also choose flowers that are high in nectar as well as flowers that produce seeds; sunflower, black-eyed Susan and coneflowers to name a few.  

Providing a Water Source

Consider a stone bird bath with a ledge for perching.  This will allow the birds an area where they can land and drink easily.  Before using a bird bath clean it with antibacterial dish soap and rinse well.  Let it air dry in the sun.  

1. Install a water source in a safe area in your yard that is away from human foot traffic and cats; however the bird bath needs to be in an area where you can watch the birds from a distance.  I would recommend setting the bird bath in the center of a garden where the plants will conceal the birds from a cats view.
2. Maintain the bird bath by changing the water daily.  Empty the water from the bird bath daily.  
3. Clean the bird bath by removing the feathers, bird droppings, mosquito larvae or algae.  
4. Rinse well with a garden hose before refilling the bird bath with tap water that has been treated with Aqua Safe to remove chlorine or fill the bird bath with purified water.   
5. Another way to fill the bird bath is to collect rainwater in a barrel, then use this natural water.

Tips

1. Choose an area for the bird bath and then install it.  Leave the bird bath in that location and refrain from moving it.  It will take a few days for the birds to notice the water source.
2. Hang peanut and suet feeders throughout your yard to attract woodpeckers, wrens and chickadees.

Learn how you can create your own wildlife habitat in your yard by viewing this You Tube video: 

Attribution introduction image: http://mrg.bz/qUd5n0