Dutch iris: planting, dividing and storing the bulb

Store	Bulb. Cut it in half: you see layers like an onion.
Depth	10 cm to the base of the bulb
Spacing	10 cm apart
When	Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.
Pets	Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

Store

Bulb. Cut it in half: you see layers like an onion.

Depth

10 cm to the base of the bulb

Spacing

10 cm apart

When

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. Work out your dates.

Pets

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses (ASPCA)

About Dutch iris

Cut-flower irises from a slim bulb. Grown for stems in June.

Depth and spacing

Typical range: 10 cm deep and 10 cm apart. A general rule is to plant at two to three times the height of the bulb; check the label for your variety. The drawing is to scale for 10 cm deep and 10 cm apart (the size of the organ is illustrative); try your own measurements.

When to plant

Plant in autumn. Plant: from your first autumn frost to 6 weeks after. These are rules of thumb for the northern hemisphere. Enter your frost dates for real dates.

Dividing and propagating

Offsets form around the bulb; lift after the foliage dies and separate.

Lifting and storing

Leave in place in free-draining soil; else lift, dry and keep cool.

Toxic to Dogs, Toxic to Cats, Toxic to Horses

The ASPCA lists Iris species as: toxic to dogs, toxic to cats, toxic to horses. Toxic principle: Pentacylic terpenoids (zeorin, missourin and missouriensin). Signs: Salivation, vomiting, drooling,lethargy, diarrhea. Highest concentration in rhizomes. If your pet has chewed any part, call your vet or an animal poison helpline. ASPCA entry.

Dutch iris