White irises: varieties, description, features of cultivation

Iris is a plant of the family of tangent (iris), belonging to the perennial genus of rhizome flowers. They are common on all continents and very popular. This plant is a distant relative of the gladiolus. In total, about 800 species are distinguished, with a variety of shades and forms. According to legend, the name of this flower was received in honor of the goddess Irida, and in translation from ancient Greek means "rainbow". Among the Slavic nationalities, the name of the tangent (Russia) was widespread, that is, the desired, dear, dear; Cockerel and even perunik (Ukraine).

White irises have extraordinary beauty. They are so perfect, beautiful and filled with meaning that it is difficult to find someone who does not admire them. A special royal majesty is given to the flower falling down fouls and harmoniously upward lines of standards. From a huge variety of colors, irises have a rich color spectrum. However, pure white is a very rare variety and, accordingly, is particularly appreciated.

The historical and cultural significance of iris flowers

The white flower of this plant, pure like the wings of an angel, was endowed with different meanings in world cultures: the expression of mourning for the deceased, the hallmark of a noble family, a noble person. Figures of the inflorescences were decorated with flags, emblems. White color personified only positive qualities. As a garden culture, irises are a symbol of aristocracy and power. Images of this flower archeologists are often found on the scepters belonging to the Egyptian pharaohs. Iris was repeatedly mentioned in the philosophical writings of Hippocrates. This flower from the ancient Greeks was a symbol of courage and was widely used in the performance of various rituals. White Dutch irises are traditionally considered the symbol of the Virgin Mary, so their cultivation in all monasteries was compulsory.

The structure of the flower

Depending on the species, the plant can have different root systems: fibrous, rod-shaped, thin or fleshy, branched rather weakly. The leaves of the iris are broad, xiphoid, bright or dark green in color. The condition of the plant can be determined by wax coating: if it is even, it means it's great. It is noted that the foliage retains a decorative appearance until the autumn. Peduncles can reach a length of 90 cm. Depending on the variety, high-growth (more than 70 cm), medium-sized (35-70 cm) and low-growing (25-35 cm) plants stand out.

An unusual form of inflorescence is famous for irises. The description of the plant can be found in specialized literature: iris petals, raised up and forming a dome, are called the standard (standard), and three petals, lowered downwards - fouls. On the lower parts of the flower there are dense bristly outgrowths - a beard.

Preparation for planting

Beginning gardeners are often concerned about how to plant irises. According to the statement of professional plant growers, it is precisely from the thoroughness of compliance with all the rules that the growth and flowering of this culture depends. For planting the most protected from cold winds, but at the same time a well-ventilated and well-lit place is suitable. If you can not find a similar one, you can select a partial shadow. The soil must be drained, light, slightly acidic. To do this, you can add a little wood ash or lime. It is important not to allow the appearance of stagnant moisture, as for irises it is a destructive environment. In addition, they do not tolerate the application of organic fertilizers, because of which they first cease to bloom, and then rot. White irises do not tolerate the presence of weeds, especially those that have a strong rhizome, so they should be planted in clean and well-groomed areas.

Before this, long leaves and roots of the plant should be cut at an angle. The leaf part should be no more than 15 cm. When the seedlings are healthy, they can not be processed. If the plant has signs of fungus or diseases, it should be cleaned, rinsed and held for 20 minutes in a solution of foundation stone or pink manganese. Purchased or dug out bushes of irises should be planted as soon as possible in the ground, as their roots can become obsolete. For temporary storage, but not more than 2 days, wet, coarse-grained sand is required , which, when planted, should be laid out to create drainage to the bottom of the well.

The best way to transfer to the soil is on the crests after flowering. Such cultivation will ensure the survival of seedlings. For each flower in the flowerbed, it is important to make a slight elevation: over time, the land will settle, so for the time of rooting, the seedling will be reliably protected from the formation of water stagnation. This way of planting will protect the plant in winter frosts and thaw.

Creation of crests for white irises

On the flowerbed you need to make several combs, the distance between which should be at least 80-90 cm. Using rake form two parallel rollers with hollows in the middle. They should be filled with water, allow it to soak into the ground, and then form ridges. You can not plant plants very tightly. If you plan to place the irises on the ridges for no more than 1 year, then it is permissible to make a distance between seedlings of 20-25 cm. With a permanent dislocation (3-4 years), the bushes should be at least 40 cm apart, since the irises grow strongly .

Rules for planting irises

So, how to plant irises and when is it better to do? The optimal time is from April to March. Also a favorable month for planting white iris bushes is August, the appropriate time of day is evening, after sunset. Under such conditions, plants will take root more quickly. They can not be too deep, but too high is not recommended. Optimal will make a wide hole, where to pour a handful of sand, on which to place the rhizome, and the roots themselves evenly place inside the indentations. After this, everything should be sprinkled with earth and compacted. Placement of the iris should be done so that the cut sheet portion is at an angle of about 45 degrees relative to the windy side. This arrangement of the seedlings will prevent the turning of roots in a strong wind, the leaves will spring and they will not be able to break.

If necessary, it is possible to transplant plants. This is permissible immediately after flowering (June - September). Categorical it is not recommended to do this during flowering, because during this period their roots become weak and unable to hold the scapula of the leaves in the wind.

Rules of care for irises

As a rule, plants take root in a new soil after a month, after that new leaves start to grow. There are differences in care for irises, planting which occurred in late summer - early autumn or after flowering.

The need for moisture is also dependent on the conditions of growth and on the variety. Watering of seedlings must be performed on hot summer days, and in southern regions springs should be sprinkled with light sand at the roots to reflect the sun's rays. For irises planted at the end of summer or in the autumn, it is much easier to take care of, since the earth dries less, irrigation is less often required. When accumulating excessive amounts of water, it is recommended to make a ditch for retraction.

In wet summer, periodic treatment with fungicides is required, in which solution an insecticide should be added, which relieves plants from voracious insects. According to the rules, treatment is carried out in the morning, in the daytime, when the heat drops, or at sunset. The temperature of the solution should be about 20 degrees.

Blossoming of white irises occurs mainly in May-June, but there are a number of later varieties that delight beauty from the end of June to July. However, if the summer is cold, the kidneys will not form, respectively, iris will blossom only next year.

The soil should be loosened and fed, but using only mineral fertilizers. It is permissible that they contain phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen, since these flowers (iris white) take only mineral elements. In equal parts in three terms fertilizer is introduced into the soil. The first top dressing should be done when the first shoots appear above the ground. The second time the fertilizer is brought in a month. Finish top dressing is necessary after flowering. Another variant of fertilizing irises is also possible. Phosphorus and nitrogen are used for the first fertilizing, in the process of the second, all useful elements are introduced, and at the third - only phosphorus and potassium. During the vegetation period, 9 g of mineral substances per 1 m ^{2 of} soil will be required. It is necessary to remember the following: since the rhizomes of the plant are on the surface, it is possible to apply fertilizing only in a dissolved and liquid form.

At the end of the summer season irises are often harmed by an insect called winter scoop. To prevent the plants from perishing, periodic inspection of the leaves and the radical system should be carried out for the detection of insects and oviposition, since they quickly become caterpillars capable of quickly destroying seedlings. You can not allow the caterpillars to overwinter in the soil, otherwise with the onset of spring they will finally bring the irises to death.

Preservation of irises in winter

White irises should be carefully prepared for winter. At the end of autumn, before the frost and before the first snow falls, you should cut the leaves halfway, inspect them, if necessary, treat them with pesticides, and loosen the soil with the addition of nitrogen fertilizers. You can cover irises in dry weather. First of all, you need to sprinkle the back of the root with clean sand, and then with peat up to a height of 7 cm. As a result, you will get a mound along which the water will flow well. In some cold regions, dry leaves are used to cover white irises.

As a rule, this garden culture is resistant to frost, but a thaw for green pets can be fatal, as water gathers at the roots. But the plant does not threaten anything, if it is planted on a raised platform and well sheltered.

With the onset of spring shelter needs to be removed early, in two approaches. The first is peat, and after a few days it will be possible to remove the sand - so as not to harm the tender and young sprouts. For a better growth and giving the plant aesthetic appearance it is necessary to remove dead, dried leaves, to release the rhinestones back, to air and clean them, to treat with a pesticide and sprinkle with new, clean sand.

As a rule, irises in the spring do not need copious watering. Repeated exposure to chemicals should be performed shortly before flowering, which lasts more than a month. The faded arrows of a plant are supposed to be cut or broken. After that, irises need to be fed and processed, since it is during this period that young flower buds are formed. Bushes should be grown in one place for no more than 3-4 years, then dig up, divided into several parts and transplanted to a new place, otherwise the plant will cease to regularly bloom.

Popular varieties of white iris

As already mentioned, several hundred varieties have irises. White varieties are always in demand: flowers are used to create bouquets, decorate flower beds and gardens, interior.

There are many German varieties of white iris. For example, Immortaliti has a gentle white color, with lemon yellow center. The bushes reach a height of 75 cm, the flowering period falls on May-June. Iris Immortaliti is a perennial plant, its petals are even, flower stalks are erect, they do not require garters.

The Bianca variety reaches a height of 90 cm. This light-loving plant, which does not tolerate excessive moisture, therefore is planted in a lighted, sheltered from excess moisture and a warm patch. Flowering occurs in May-June.

The inflorescence of Dawn Waltz is very similar to an orchid. Up to two months the plant can please its delicate pink flowers with pearly pink styli.

Irises Esther CDM became popular in the 1980s. They have very powerful stems, large green leaves and huge snow-white, like the first snow, flowers that appear only at the end of June.

The name Mesmerizer from the Hungarian language translates as "hypnotize", "bewitch". It should be recognized that the beauty of the plant is really capable of fascinating.

The name of the bearded Lacy Snowflake in Russian sounds like Snowflake Lacy. No comments.

Iris White nights evoke several associations: with nights in St. Petersburg and the famous southern park "White Nights" in the vicinity of Sochi. It has an average inflorescence, height up to 70-90 cm, blooms for a long time in June-July. Is able to endure the winter without special cover.

Smiling Angel (or Smile Angel) is an exquisite variety. Their gentle shade will be harmoniously combined with any color range. White irises perfectly combined with other types of flowers, they are self-sufficient in both group and individual planting.

Reproduction of irises

Reproduction of the plant occurs by dividing the rhizome into several parts or its parts with the kidneys. A favorable period for this - the end of summer - the beginning of autumn, and only after 4-5 years of growth of the bush in one place. If to do otherwise, the iris simply ceases to bloom, because in time the flower buds cease to form on the rhizome. Every year, the plant forms new root links with a bundle of leaves, reminiscent of a fan. The simplest method of reproduction is to divide the annual link into pieces. For two days they will need to be left indoors, so that a protective wound tissue is formed on the sections. They can also be sprinkled with crushed coal.

If waiting 4-5 years is not possible, many gardeners recommend seed breeding. Each variety has its own characteristics when breeding. For example, white Siberian or Japanese irises can easily be grown from seeds, and bearded, on the contrary, are more difficult to reproduce, since shoots appear only for 2-3 years after sowing.

Irises in cosmetology, pharmaceutics and cooking

But these handsome men perform not only a decorative function. Irises have found wide application in medicine in the fight against tuberculosis. From their roots are made essential oil used in cosmetology, and starch, which is used in confectionery production. As you can see, gentle, exquisite flowers not only delight the look, but also bring practical benefits!