Up for sale is one pack of 50 Wild Blue Iris seeds. Also known as Rocky Mountain Iris (Iris missouriensis) these are very durable for zones 3-10. These Iris have long green vegitation and medium blue flowers. Hardy in the garden and also make a great cut flower with a long vase life.
We offer flat rate combined shipping on all orders, no limit on the amount or type of seed packets.
CULTURE
Soil temperature: 72 - 75 degrees fahrenheit
Germination lighting: Light required
Germination days: N/A
Plant spread: 6 inches
Plant height: 36''
Plant type: Perennial
Maturation days: 365 days
Iris will grow in zones 3-11 and prefer moist roots. We grow them in our test gardens, and water them like all our other flowers, and they profusely flower from late March to May and provide dark green foliage until your first hard frost in the fall. In the fall their leaves will brown where here in zone 7 we cut them back to the ground in late November. Seed are easy to germinate but your plant will not flower the first year. Once grown they are easy to subdivide and create new plants.
You can start indoor in pots, but if indoors they will have to be cold/wet treated first no matter the zone. If starting in pots use a sterilized potting soil made of 1 part peat to 1 part sand, or you can use a commercial seed starting soil as long as it is sterile. Add a small amount of water to about 1/4 cup of potting mix so your soil is moist and add your seeds. Place inside a container, or baggie, and put in your fridge (not freezer) for 60 days. Check half way through your cold treat period to see if you need to add more water. After 60 days sow you mixture on top of your sterile potting mix. Keep moist until germination. Even if a seed fails to germinate by spring scatter your remaining potting mix in your garden as an Iris seed is good for up to 18 years.
If direct sowing its best to sow them in late fall. Soak the the seeds in very warm tap water and let sit for eight hours and then sow on the surface of your garden bed and lightly dust with screened peat. If you are in milder zones 8-11 cold treat before sowing. In early spring you will see thick spear shapes leaves start to emerge from your garden bed. Once they germinate the plants will come back every year without any cold weather. We don't recommend direct sowing the seeds in spring or summer.
If you are cutting for your vase, cut when the flower is still closed but has full color. This will look like a thick pencil with a colored head.