Bearded Iris Iris 'Short Order' (CH)

☠ Toxic to humans

🐾 Toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Iris 'Short Order' is a captivating plant characterized by its striking flowers and attractive foliage. The blooms of this iris are notable for their unique coloration, typically featuring a blend of hues that may include shades of blue, purple, violet, or a combination thereof. Each flower is artfully composed of six petal-like segments called falls and standards. The falls, which are the three outer segments, often display a rich, saturated color and may be adorned with intricate veining or speckled patterns. They gracefully descend from the flower's center, splaying outward to showcase their beauty. The standards, in contrast, are the three inner segments that stand upright, contributing to the plant's distinctive architectural form. These may present a lighter or contrasting color, complementing the falls and adding to the visual depth of the bloom. Surrounding the blooms, the foliage of the Iris 'Short Order' consists of elongated, sword-shaped leaves that arise from the base of the plant in a fan-like arrangement. The leaves are typically a vibrant green, offering a lush backdrop for the stunning flowers. The foliage not only provides contrast but also enhances the overall aesthetic of the plant, drawing attention to the flowers while contributing to the garden's texture and volume. Overall, Iris 'Short Order' is a showy, ornamental plant that can command attention in any garden setting with its gorgeous blossoms and elegant foliage. It is cherished by gardeners and flower enthusiasts for its bold, eye-catching appearance and the striking visual interest it brings to the landscape.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Bearded Iris, German Iris
- Common names
  Iris 'Short Order' (CH).
Toxicity
- To humans
  Iris 'Short Order' belongs to the genus Iris, commonly referred to as irises. Irises contain compounds that can be toxic if ingested. The primary toxic agent in these plants is irisin, along with other compounds such as pentacyclic terpenoids. If a human ingests parts of the iris, they may experience symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. In severe cases, it can lead to symptoms such as drooling, lethargy, and increased heart rate. Contact with the sap may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. It is important to seek medical attention if someone has ingested iris plant material or if any severe symptoms occur following contact.
- To pets
  Iris 'Short Order' is toxic to pets such as dogs and cats due to the presence of compounds like irisin and pentacyclic terpenoids found in the plant. If a pet ingests parts of an iris, they may experience symptoms including vomiting, drooling, lethargy, and diarrhea. In some cases, ingestion can lead to more serious symptoms like abdominal pain or respiratory issues. If you suspect your pet has ingested iris, it is important to seek veterinary attention promptly to manage the symptoms and prevent more severe complications.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  2-3 feet (60-91 cm)
- Spread
  1-2 feet (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Bulb
- Hardiness zones
  4-9
- Native area
  Europe Asia

Benefits

General Benefits
- Ornamental Appeal: Iris 'Short Order' adds aesthetic value with its colorful blooms and can be a standout feature in garden beds, borders, or as a focal point.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, this variety of iris is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less frequent watering and making it suitable for drier climates or water-conserving gardens.
- Easy to Grow: It is known for being low-maintenance and easy to grow, making it a good choice for novice gardeners or those with limited time.
- Perennial Growth: As a perennial, Iris 'Short Order' will return year after year, providing long-term value and reducing the need for annual replanting.
- Attracts Pollinators: The blooms of 'Short Order' attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting local ecosystems and benefiting other plants in the garden.
- Cold Hardy: It is resistant to cold and can survive winter temperatures, making it a suitable choice for gardens in cooler climates.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Iris 'Short Order' can be used in cut flower arrangements due to its attractive blooms, creating visually appealing bouquets that can last several days.
- The strong, fibrous leaves of the iris can be used in the art of basketry for weaving unique and decorative patterns.
- Iris rhizomes can be processed to extract essences which are sometimes used in high-end perfumes and scented products for a subtle fragrance.
- Dried iris petals are used in potpourri to add color and a gentle scent to rooms, drawers, or closets.
- The plant's striking appearance can be used in educational environments as a teaching tool about botanical morphology and plant lifecycle.
- Photographers often utilize the iris as a subject in macro photography due to its intricate structure and vibrant colors.
- Iris plants can be employed in landscape design as a natural way to create boundaries or lines within garden layouts.
- The dried seed pods of irises can be used in arts and crafts for decorating wreaths, making ornaments, or as an addition to floral displays.
- Iris 'Short Order' can be a natural dye source, with some parts of the plant providing pigments for textiles and art projects.
- These plants can serve as a food source for some butterfly species, contributing to a garden's health by encouraging pollinator visitation.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Irises are not specifically mentioned in traditional Feng Shui practice for having unique properties; however, generally, flowers like irises can be used to add a sense of beauty, uplift energy, and bring growth and new beginnings into a space. They can be placed in areas that you wish to enhance with these qualities.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The iris is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Hope: The iris symbolizes hope, as it is often associated with divine messengers that bring good tidings.
- Trust: With its stable growth and perennial nature, the iris can represent trust and reliability.
- Wisdom: In some cultures, irises are seen as a symbol of wisdom and cherished for their ability to convey intelligence.
- Purity: The intricate design and bright colors of the iris reflect purity and innocence.
- Valor: Historically, the iris was a symbol of power and might, often associated with royalty and valor.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Bearded Iris, commonly known as 'Short Order', requires moderate watering during the growing season. The soil should be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings. Generally, watering once a week with about a gallon of water per plant is adequate, but this can vary based on climate conditions and soil type. During the hot, dry periods of summer, increase the frequency to twice a week. In winter, reduce watering significantly as the plant enters dormancy.
Light
Bearded Iris prefers full sun to thrive and showcase its beautiful blooms. Plant it in a location where it receives at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. While it can tolerate partial shade, too much shade can lead to fewer flowers and an increased risk of disease.
Temperature
Bearded Iris 'Short Order' performs best in temperate climates with a temperature range between 50°F and 75°F. It can withstand cold temperatures down to about 20°F, but should be protected from prolonged freezing. The ideal growing conditions involve warm days and cooler nights within the aforementioned temperature range.
Pruning
Pruning or deadheading Bearded Iris is essential to encourage repeat blooming and to maintain plant health. Remove spent blooms and cut flower stems down to the base after flowering. In late summer or early fall, trim back foliage to about 6 inches to tidy the plant and prepare for winter. Divide the rhizomes every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to rejuvenate the plant.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The ideal soil mix for the Bearded Iris 'Short Order' should provide good drainage and moderate fertility. A mix consisting of well-draining garden soil, compost, and sharp sand is beneficial. They prefer neutral to slightly acidic soil, with an optimal pH range of 6.8 to 7.0.
Repotting
Bearded Iris 'Short Order' does not require frequent repotting and is generally repotted every three to five years. The best time to repot and divide irises is after flowering, typically in late summer.
Humidity & Misting
Bearded Iris 'Short Order' is tolerant of a range of humidity conditions and does well in the typical outdoor humidity levels found in its growing zones. They do not require high humidity environments.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Bearded Iris 'Short Order' in bright, indirect light and ensure good air flow.
- Outdoor
  Plant Bearded Iris 'Short Order' in full sun with well-drained soil.
- Hardiness zone
  3-9 USDA
Life cycle
The Iris 'Short Order' begins its lifecycle as a rhizome, which is a type of underground stem that can produce roots and shoots. In spring, new growth emerges from these rhizomes as shoots that develop into the plant's characteristic sword-like leaves, and the plant begins vegetative growth. During late spring to early summer, the Iris 'Short Order' enters its flowering stage, where it produces distinctive flowers that can be a range of colors, depending on the variety. After pollination, often by insects, the flowers will wither, and seed capsules may develop, which upon maturing, release seeds that can grow into new plants if conditions are favorable. Throughout the growing season, the plant continues to photosynthesize and store energy in the rhizome for the next year's growth. As winter approaches, the aerial parts of the iris die back, and the plant enters a period of dormancy, with the rhizome remaining dormant underground until the next spring.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Iris 'Short Order', often referred to as Bearded Iris, is a perennial that is frequently propagated through division, which is the most popular method. The ideal time to divide and propagate this iris is usually late summer to early fall, after the blooming period has ended and the plant has gone dormant. To propagate through division, gardeners should carefully dig up the iris clumps and use a sharp knife or spade to separate the rhizomes. Each section should have at least one or two fans of leaves and a portion of the rhizome. Trim the leaves to about a third of their height to reduce water loss, then replant the divisions at least 12 inches (approximately 30 centimeters) apart in well-draining soil with the rhizome slightly exposed to the air to prevent rotting. This method allows the iris to establish in cooler temperatures and become well-rooted before the onset of winter.