Mulch??

[boops]

I have a new Iris garden, are you supposed to mulch the ground around them? or does it cause rotting problems?

[kHT]

When we mulch around the iris we use very little, just to color the area.

[boops]

Oh okay thanks, I'll just put a little and keep it away from the rhizomes. the area needs some color.

[NancyL]

I use mulch in our iris beds mainly because they are both abandoned for part of the year since we spend the summer in MI so mulch is important to keep weeds out while I can't weed. One comment I read when I first started growing irises was that they "love their roots basking in the sun". Unlike other plants that need the cooling effect and moisture retention of mulch irises don't need a lot of water so mulch is good for appearance and weed suppression.

[boops]

Thanks Nancy-I think I planted them right, the top of the rhizome is showing and the roots are buried. threw some bonemeal in the holes also. Will lightly mulch around and not cover the tops of the rhizome.