Royal Blue Batik Irises

Many people are collectors of irises. They buy unique flowers yearly and are delighted when they get a unique color. If you have not added the royal blue batik iris to your collection then you are missing out because this flower is like no other Iris that you have seen before.

The only words that come to mind are exotic and beautiful. Each flower has multiple blooms that will not disappoint you. Several years ago I bought the Batik iris collection online. The flowers came from Breck’s online Nursery and I have no idea if they still carry this unique iris, but it is well worth your effort to search for these irises at their online store.  As I recall I bought the collection in the fall for spring shipping.  Maybe they still carry the batik irises, I do not know.

In my collection I have two purple irises; Gnu Flash and Royal Blue Batik, then Tiger Honey (gold color with white), and a pink and white one called Baboon Bottom.
Here is a photo of my Baboon Bottom iris

  

The batik irises look fantastic when grown in masses. If you start with 5 flowers then know that this iris does multiple annually so plant them where they have room to grow otherwise you will be dividing them every few years.

Note unlike other irises this flower thrives in full sun to part shade and they choke out weeds. A very hardy iris that is not fussy about soil and is pest, disease, and deer resistant.

Batik irises... are my favorite flower in my garden.   I just love them.  Do you grow batik irises?  Here is a video that will show you how to grow irises.  

Bearded Irises Transplanting Tips

Divide your bearded irises during the months of July through August as this time will allow the roots to be established before a hard frost.

A photo of the irises that grow in my yard. 

Started to divide and transplant the irises 

Irises that are grown in a tight space will have small blooms or no blooms, these irises are also susceptible to disease and borers.  I

If irises are planted too close they will need to be divided within a year, otherwise, irises need to be divided and transplanted every 3 to 4 years.

Growing irises is easy, once they are established in your garden they will bloom for many years however; you must check the iris periodically for overcrowding. It is also important to keep the iris bed free of weeds, leaf matter, and debris.

Dividing and Transplanting:


Before digging up the iris rhizomes that need to be divided get the iris garden ready by cutting the leaves to 1/3 of their height.

Dig up the iris with a spade or a pitchfork.  Gently remove the entire iris clump without breaking the roots.  Shake the dirt from the root and then use your garden hose to wash away the dirt from the roots and the rhizome.  Removing the dirt it will enable you to inspect the rhizome.

Inspect the rhizome for soft spots or wormholes, as this is an indication that the iris is infected with borers (grubs).  This generally occurs when irises are overcrowded or there is leaf matter covering the iris bed.

If the damage is small then you can treat the rhizome by cutting off the soft spot with a sharp knife and then soaking the irises in a solution of 10% bleach mixed with water. Soak the irises for a half hour.  Then allow the irises to air dry in shade.  Plant the treated irises in a separate garden.  Do this so you can watch the irises for further infection.

Divide large healthy irises by cutting the young rhizome away from the clump with a sharp knife.

Transplanting Irises

Remove leaves and weeds from the iris garden

cut leaves and transplant spacing plants at least a foot apart 

Grow irises in a garden bed that is located in full sun.  The soil must be well-drained and mixed with organic matter such as compost or manure.  Keep the iris garden weed, leave, and debris free. 

Irises grow best when they receive 6 hours of full sun followed by part shade.  If you reside in an area where there is extreme heat (mid-90 to 100F) then afternoon shade would benefit the irises.


Plant the rhizome in soil no deeper than one inch. Set the rhizome on the soil, spread out the roots, and then cover the roots with soil.  It is best to leave the upper part of the rhizome exposed so that it can absorb nutrients. If irises are planted too deeply then there will be no flowers in spring and the rhizome will rot. Water transplanted irises.

Here are some bearded irises that I grow in my yard and garden. And all need to be divided and transplanted this year.

Maintain your irises and get beautiful spring flowers

Learn more about irises by viewing this video: