Irises can be used in massed beds, in borders, in informal groups in front of shrubs or in perennial beds. Tall ones look best in a formal bed of their own. Smaller ones can be included among perennials of similar height, their coarse, spiked leaves giving vertical interest and texture to a mixed flower border.
Container Gardening
Irises can be grown in tubs or standard clay pots. These should be 1 to 2 feet in diameter and at least 1 foot deep. See Growing Plants In Containers and Containers For Plants in Yardener’s Tool Shed.
Cutting Iris
Cut irises for indoor display in the early morning. Choose stalks with barely opened blossoms and cut them with a sharp knife. Add commercial floral preservative or lace the water in the container in which they are arranged with a citrus based, non-diet carbonated soda to prolong their freshness. Table irises are best for cutting--they may last 12 days. For more information see the files on Keeping Cut Flowers and Cut Flower Supplies
