All varietal varieties of Dutch bulbous irises look very beautiful and will decorate any flower bed. They are created on the basis of varieties of xyfiums. These flowers are good for cutting and in a vase are longer than ordinary irises. They need to arrange proper care, and they will certainly please with their colorful buds.

Description and varieties of varieties

Xyphium hybrids are not only Dutch bulbous irises, but also Spanish and English. A group of varieties from Holland is the most common. These are mainly low-winter-resistant hybrids requiring digging of bulbs or shelter, blooming in late May - early June. The flowering of these beautiful perennials is short-lived, but very spectacular. Their onions, covered with small scales, can be purchased in various specialized stores.

Did you know? Irises got their name from the Greek word translated into Russian as "rainbow". These flowers show a large color palette.

Most often, the following series and varieties are found:

1. A series of varieties of Blue. Their peduncles grow no higher than 60 cm, the flowers are saturated blue with bright yellow veins in the middle of the petals. These varieties bloom profusely.
2. France Halls. They are represented by bluish-yellow specimens of bicolor.
3. Yellow They can be painted in all shades of yellow.
4. Ashes. Painted in violet-purple tones. May have terry, yellowish spots or streaks.
5. White. They have a white color of flowers.

Blue magic

The Blue Magic variety from the group of Blue varieties deserved particular popularity due to its rich blue color and an abundance of buds. In height, the flowers grow to 0.6 m, the size of the inflorescence is up to 7 cm. The corolla petals have yellow veins.

Representatives of the variety are great for arranging bouquets, flower arrangements, decorating flower beds and gardens. The flower needs regular watering. This iris is quite resistant to disease. Bulbs should be dug up for the winter.

Healing properties

Xyphiums are not used for medicinal purposes. In traditional medicine, other varieties of irises are used. So, the roots of the iris of Germanic, Florentine and pale were formerly called the violet root and were used for coughing as a chest collection. The essential oil from these plants calms well, relieves stress and fatigue, and is also used in perfumes. Siberian iris, salt-loving and low in green leaves contain vitamin C. They could be used for scurvy. Some species are used as an emetic or laxative.

Did you know? In the Knossos Palace (Crete), an ancient fresco about 4 thousand years old with the image of a priest next to blooming irises is still preserved.

Growing Features

Dutch bulbous irises are thermophilic, since they were based on varieties from the Mediterranean. Most varieties require digging bulbs for the winter or shelter. They are not difficult to care for, but certain conditions must be observed. They are demanding of moderate humidity and do not like drying out or waterlogging.

Landing rules

Dutch irises prefer dry areas with partial shade, without direct sunlight. This rather thermophilic plant crop needs shelter when growing in the northern regions of the country. The leaves normally tolerate a short-term decrease in temperature to –5 ... –6 ° C, but at the ends they can slightly freeze. This does not affect the buds and the formation of daughter bulbs. The recommended temperature regime is approximately + 20 ° C, and the formation of the bud occurs at + 10 ... + 12 ° C.

The crop in question prefers a light fertile soil with a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. With an increased level of soil acidity, a liming procedure should be carried out using slaked lime or ground chalk.

Groundwater should not come close to ground level, as this negatively affects plants that do not tolerate waterlogging. For this reason, on wet soils, care must be taken to drain. It is good to use expanded clay or pebbles as a drainage layer.

On light soils, the depth of the bulb during planting should correspond to a height of 2-3 such specimens: in the southern regions - no more than 20 cm, and in the northern - no more than 15 cm. Bulbs are planted when they have roots. Between them during landing maintain an interval of 15 cm, so that they do not obscure each other.

In the north of the country, planting time falls at the end of summer so that plants do not subsequently die from frost. In a temperate climate of the middle zone, landing time is October 15–20, and in the south - mid-September. Many gardeners and summer residents prefer to plant in the early spring.

The subtleties of care

After planting, irises should be regularly loosened at least once a week, being careful not to damage the bulbs. Be sure to properly organize watering. It is important to remember that these plants do not like waterlogging, but drying out the soil is also unacceptable. In dry weather, it is enough to water 2-3 times a week under the root. After the irises begin to bloom, hydration is minimized, and as soon as they bloom, watering is stopped completely. This is necessary so that the bulbs do not rot, since for them the time of rest begins.

Important! If the buds grow with signs of deformation, then this indicates a lack of nutrients or inappropriate soil acidity.

It is important not to overdo the fertilizer. This plant culture does not perceive chemistry well, therefore it is better to use organic matter - humus, compost. These components are applied to the soil at the rate of 1 bucket per 1 m² when planting. As you grow, you can make wood ash. A week before the appearance of color, fertilizing should be done with complex mineral fertilizers for flowering plants.

In Russia, rainy weather is often set. Therefore, after the buds have faded, it is recommended to dig out the bulbs, discard unsuitable specimens (rotten, diseased, damaged mechanically), dry and store in a dry dark place (underfloor, closet, cellar) at a temperature of no more than + 9 ° WITH. By the next season, the bulbs will be ready for planting.

Pests and diseases

In the spring, such insects can harm irises:

1. Butterflies scoops. Their caterpillar larvae, feeding on the sap of the plant, cause damage to the described crop. To combat them, the Granosan tool is used.
2. Thrips. From this pest, "Karbofos" is used.
3. Drillers. In this case, insecticidal drugs are used.
4. Slug. The introduction of phosphorus fertilizers helps to avoid the appearance of this insect.

Under adverse conditions, such diseases may appear:

1. Fusarium (gray rot). It can be detected by the appearance of a grayish plaque on the leaves, as well as a slowdown in the growth and development of the plant. Gradually, the iris begins to die. To eliminate this problem, Topaz or Maxim chemical preparations are used.
2. Wet rot. This ailment quickly affects the plant during spring melting of snow and during the period of active formation of young bulbs. The appearance of such a nuisance can cause an excess of nitrogen fertilizers in the soil, excessive thickening of plantings, waterlogging, as well as the return of frost in the spring and mechanical damage to the bulbs when weeding. The yellowing of the plant indicates the occurrence of the disease. At the same time, an unpleasant smell is heard near the planting with flowers. Over time, the leaves fall to the ground, and the irises die off. Diseased specimen should be dug up and disposed of, and soil should be decontaminated. To combat rot, you can use Doxycycline. But it is worth considering that it is used only at the initial stage of the disease.
3. Bacteriosis. This disease often appears with a violation in care. In this case, the roots become soft, an unpleasant odor appears, the foliage begins to fall. Then diseased specimens should be removed from the site and disposed of. Healthy flowers are recommended to be transplanted to a new place next season.
4. Rust. The disease can be detected by rusty spots on the leaves. In this case, watering is reduced and fungicides of the Triazole type are used.
5. Sheet mosaic. In this case, yellow-green spots appear on the leaves, and they quickly die off. Specks also appear on the buds. Affected areas should be removed and disposed of. To combat this fungal disease, copper chloride or Ridomil Gold is used.
6. Heterosporosis. Often, older leaves are affected - light gray spots with a yellow fringing appear on them, which gradually grow. In this case, the affected foliage is torn off and treated with fungicidal preparations such as Strobi or Ordan.
7. Dry rot. The reasons for the appearance are waterlogging and low air temperature. In this case, a grayish-white coating appears on the roots, they begin to rot and die. The affected flowers need to be dug up and burned, and then the entire planting should be treated with chemicals such as Magnikur Energy, Vitaros, Topsin-M. Next year, irises are best transplanted to another site.

Video: iris diseases

In general, irises are quite resistant to the appearance of diseases and pests. For this reason, if you do not violate the agricultural technology of cultivation, they are practically not at risk.

Iris in landscape design

These beautiful flowers are often chosen for landscape design. At the same time, in order for irises to grow and develop better, they should be planted higher - for example, in the upper part of an alpine hill.

Did you know? Iris appears in the crafts of the Slavic peoples. In Russia it is called "kasatik", Ukrainians call it "cockerel", and the Bulgarians - perunik.

From the Dutch irises, excellent borders are also obtained, they can be planted along the fence. Flower beds with a large space, which are planted only with these flowers (preferably different shades), look very colorful. Dutch irises are in perfect harmony with other varieties of flowers. However, it is worth considering that these plants have their own requirements for care and soil moisture.

To irises adorned the flower bed throughout the warm period, you can plant several varieties of these flowers. To do this, early varieties are placed nearby, which give buds along with primroses, and later species that bloom in July. All varieties of iris need approximately the same care, so monitoring the flowerbed as a whole will be easy. With proper care, the buds are large and colorful. If the described crop does not fit the soil or improper care is organized behind it, then the flowers form small and quickly wither.

Important! It should be noted that irrigation should be carried out on irises that have not yet bloomed or are blooming, and that hydration of already faded specimens should be stopped.

The flower in question can be used as a houseplant. In this case, you need to pick up a beautiful outdoor flowerpot. In summer, such pots can be taken out to the street or taken to the cottage: they will perfectly decorate the yard.

Dutch irises have beautiful blooms with rich colors. They can be used for various design decisions of a landscape of a garden. It is necessary to take into account the thermophilicity of the plant and the mode of its moistening in different periods of the life cycle.