Iris 'Bee's Knees' Iris 'Bee's Knees' (SDB)

Water

Dwarf Bearded Irises like 'Bee's Knees' should be watered deeply once a week, providing about one-inch of water which equates to about half a gallon per square foot of soil. Ensure the soil is well-drained; these irises prefer not to sit in waterlogged soil. During the growing season, especially in dry spells, they may need additional water. However, once established, they are quite drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering. Overhead watering should be avoided to prevent disease; instead, water at the base of the plant early in the day.

Light

Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Bee's Knees' thrives in full sun to partial shade, meaning it requires at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. The ideal spot for the plant would be an area that gets morning sun and afternoon shade or consistent dappled sunlight throughout the day. Too much shade can lead to poor blooming and an increased risk of disease.

Temperature

The Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Bee's Knees' prefers temperate conditions and can handle temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 90°F. However, the ideal temperature range for robust growth and flowering is between 55°F and 75°F. It's important to protect the rhizomes from freezing in very cold climates by mulching in the fall.

Pruning

Prune the Dwarf Bearded Iris 'Bee's Knees' by trimming away dead or damaged foliage and spent flower stalks to encourage healthy growth and prevent disease. The best time for pruning is post-bloom and again in late fall to tidy up the plant before winter. Pruning should be performed annually or whenever necessary to maintain plant health and appearance.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Standard Bearded Iris require well-draining soil enriched with compost. The pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0. A mix with good aeration is essential.

Repotting

Standard Bearded Irises do not need frequent repotting; they should be divided and replanted every 3-4 years to maintain vigor and bloom quality.

Humidity & Misting

Standard Bearded Irises are tolerant of a wide range of humidity levels and do not require high humidity environments; average outdoor conditions are suitable.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Provide bright light, minimal watering, and good air circulation.

• Outdoor

  Plant in full sun to partial shade in well-drained soil.

• Hardiness zone

  3-9 USDA

Life cycle

Iris 'Bee's Knees' (Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris) begins its life cycle when the seed germinates in late spring to early summer, after a period of stratification to break dormancy. The seedling grows and develops a small rhizome, which is the storage organ from which the leaves and flower stalks emerge. In its first year, the plant focuses on vegetative growth, producing leaves to photosynthesize and build energy. It enters a period of dormancy in the winter, allowing it to conserve energy and survive cold temperatures. The following spring, the plant resumes growth, and by its second or third year, it reaches maturity and produces its first flowers, typically blooming in late spring to early summer depending on the local climate. After blooming, the plant sets seed, and the cycle may begin anew, while the existing rhizome produces offsets, which grow into new clonal plants.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late Summer

• Iris 'Bee's Knees', also known as a type of Dwarf Bearded Iris, is commonly propagated through division, which is the most popular method for this plant. The ideal time for dividing and transplanting irises is late summer to early fall, after the blooming period has ended. This gives the plants enough time to establish themselves before the onset of winter. To propagate through division, gardeners dig up the rhizomes, which are the horizontal underground stems from which the bearded iris grows, and gently pull or cut them apart ensuring that each section has at least one fan of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. These sections are then replanted in a sunny location with well-drained soil at a spacing of about 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 centimeters) apart to accommodate future growth. Transplanted iris rhizomes should be planted so the top of the rhizome is slightly exposed or at most an inch (2.54 centimeters) below the surface of the soil.