I personally would not plant bearded iris rhizomes with more than 1/2" of soil covering the tops of the rhizomes. I don't know that they wouldn't tolerate more, though. I believe that Chuck Chapman in Canada may be conducting some planting depth experiments in his iris beds. Seems to me I remember him mentioning it on the iris-talk mailing list a year or two ago. You might try contacting Chuck with your question and see what sorts of results he's seeing.

Laurie

I recently read that the iris rhizones require the sunshine on them in order to bloom again. And my own iris' all have the tops of the rhizones above ground. That is why they recommend all debris and dead leaves be cleaned up after the plant has bloomed. Cleaning this stuff up will also avoid fungus growth and insect damage.

There is a visual help I have read: plant your iris rhizomes "like a duck on water" - part of the rhizome above the earth and part below, like the body of a duck on water. The "real" roots at the bottom of the rhizome goes under the earth, of course. LIke Iris64 above says: keep it tidy, always!

Is it my imagination or do they have a mind of their own.
I set mine all like sharpiro suggested. Go back to check them in a few weeks and they have moved deeper into the dirt and some completely covered. I bush the dirt away they are clearly now below the soil line, and deeper again they go.

Has anyone else noticed this? or am I just nuts????

:) Karyn

I have planted them 2" deep and they have been fine. Best is top of rhizome about ½" deep. They will seek their own level. Five inches deep could cause problems.

Mike G

Irises will adjust their own planting depth. I always figure Ma Nature knows what she's doing, so when a rz either climbs out of the soil or buries itself deeper into it, I leave it be.

Not deep.

But here's my best planting tip: After I put them in the ground I set a small rock on top of the rizome for 2 -3 weeks. taht weight keeps the plant from toppling over and expositng its root in the air. I find that the root take hold after that 2 -3 wekk period and then anchor the plant.

You all ar emaking me guilty--too many of m iris plants are crowded togehter and are still covered in leaves although I've done a leave removal project twice now. They are blooming well BUT I know that I need to get those leaves off their bases ASAP!