This is the time to look at the garden, take a photo or notes and decide on where to put bulbs in Fall. Come September or so everything looks like a jungle and we swear there's no where to put anything. Actually there is usually lots of spots under shrubs, beside tree trunks, ...where the geraniums, lady's mantle, monarda, etc, will be....easier to see those opportunities now than when the garden is full.

Overwinter Iris inside? Bearded Iris can be planted until the ground is frozen.

Alpiner, I don't have a problem finding spots in my garden with 20 acres ;)

The very best time to plant Tall Bearded Irises for our zone is late July, second best time, until the end of August. Tall Bearded Irises that are sent out by mail order companies such as Veseys after August/September have a better chance of survival overwintered indoors, then planted the following spring. Perhaps Brenda will jump in a give you a tip or two. Check the gallery for her photos.

But yes, Miniature Dwarf Bearded & Standard Dwarf Bearded can be planted later than TB's

Sharon

We have several dozen tall bearded irises and they have all been planted in autumn between September and mid November without a single failure. I can't fathom success better than our 100%. Hyacinths are the only plants we like to get in the ground by Thanksgiving and everything else by Remembrance Day except tulips which we'll plant until we can't get a shovel into the ground.

Well good growing for you greenstar, some of us cold zoners have to get TB's planted early to ensure best survival over winter.

Sharon

re: TB irises...

I have bought and planted many many TB's over the years in the fall and had only limited success. I always thought that it was my fault that the iris didn't make it. Or maybe it was where I put it in the garden. Or maybe it was the winter that we had.

What I didn't know, at that time, was that the irises need to get established and settled in before the ground gets frozen. When you are only able to purchase the iris from the local nursery in Sept or Oct and then a few weeks later the ground is already frozen, the poor little iris has not had a chance to grow in its new home.

BJ can also jump into this conversation when she gets a chance to. Years ago I asked her all kinds of questions about growing irises. It was she who was overwintering irises in the house at that time and I am so glad for the advice I received from her. Now, any iris rhizome that I get in the summer that is extremely small or I receive them in September or later they will all be planted in a long window planter and grown in the house for the winter.

Brenda

I received my Brecks catalogue as well. Nice stuff with a not so nice price.
Sharon, I ordered some TB irises from Vesesys last fall. I grew them in the house over winter. This was my first time ordering irises by mail and I was quite pleased. All are growing good.
I see 2 of mine on their site Superstition and Mother Earth.

Shelley

Ditto what Brenda said about TB's. Never had luck with catalogue orders because they come in too late for our climate. I've had three growing in the house all winter, and have just put them outside to harden off this past week. Maybe the people who have had luck planting TB's in November have a very sheltered yard in town or the city, with a micro-climate that gives them an edge.

Shelley, glad to hear about your TB's overwintered well in the house for its first winter. I looked up Mother Earth, she's a beaut!

Sharon

Botanus fall catalouge website is up.

Heading over there right now, thanks for the heads up ;)

I got a Vesey's fall catalogue in the mail last week, with the usual "exclusive" $25.00 coupon.
Connie