Guest Author - Nikki Phipps

Think fall is only for asters and chrysanthemums? Well, think again. There are many beautiful plants that bloom during the fall season, including the exceptional fall-blooming iris. Of course, an iris in the fall looks no different from an iris in spring but they are different. How? Fall-blooming irises are re-bloomers, which typically means that they bloom not only in the spring, but by late summer/early fall these amazing rhizomatous plants are ready to bloom all over again. If you’re lucky enough to live in a warmer climate where the growing season is longer, you’ll find that fall-blooming irises can continue to put on a spectacular show of color and sweet aroma throughout fall up until the first hard frost. In fact, in some of the warmest climates, irises may even be considered ever-bloomers.

Re-blooming, or remontant, irises are becoming increasingly popular, as many people enjoy prolonged color in the garden. And since fall-blooming irises come in a wide assortment of colors, you’ll certainly find something that adds excitement to your garden during this season. Not only will you find them in various colors but fall-blooming irises are also available in a wide range of sizes, from dwarfs to giants reaching over four feet tall. Most of the fall-blooming irises are hybrids the bearded iris. When choosing fall-blooming irises for your garden, look for plants that are adapted to your specific area and zone for the greatest success. Deadheading spent flowers of re-bloomers also encourages repeat flowering. Unlike regular irises, the re-blooming varieties grow must faster, increasing stock with ease.

Some of my favorite re-bloomers, suitable in zones 4-10, include the pure white blooms of “Immortality,” the blue “Wintry Sky” iris, the light blue bordered by dark purple “Everything Plus,” and the rosy pink “Painted Cloud.” All of these beauties bloom in spring, die down for a while in summer, and then bloom again in late August throughout October. If you’re looking to spruce up your garden during the off-season, consider introducing fall-blooming irises into the mix alongside your other fall-flowering plants like asters, coneflowers, mums, and fall-flowering bulbs.