How to Grow Bearded Iris:
Ep 57: Celebrating 100 Years of Growing Bearded Iris at Schreiner’s Iris Gardens
If there’s one flower that deserves a place in every spring garden, it’s the bearded iris. With their ruffled petals, captivating colors, and sword-like foliage, these resilient perennials offer structure, fragrance, and unmatched elegance to garden beds. But beyond their beauty lies a rich story—one of legacy, patience, and horticultural mastery.
This year, Schreiner’s Iris Gardens—one of the most respected names in American flower farming—is celebrating 100 years of growing and breeding world-class bearded iris. And in a special episode of The Backyard Bouquet, I sat down with Ben Schreiner and Liz Schmidt to uncover the secrets behind these iconic blooms and the multi-generational family legacy behind them.
Whether you’re new to iris gardening or looking to expand your perennial palette, read on for essential growing tips, planting advice, color trends, and ordering info—plus a link to the full podcast episode where we dig even deeper.
Why Bearded Irises Belong in Your Garden
Bearded iris (Iris germanica) are a dream for both flower farmers and backyard gardeners. Here’s why:
- Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established
- Thrive in Zones 3–9 with minimal care
- Offer an incredible variety of colors—from deep purples and golds to soft pastels and moody tones
- Make excellent cut flowers with dramatic flair
- Add vertical interest and texture to spring gardens
- Return reliably year after year with proper division
As Liz Schmidt shared in our conversation, “They’re one of the few perennials that give you height, structure, and that wow factor—all in one plant.”
The Schreiner Legacy: From Minnesota to Oregon
Schreiner’s Iris Gardens began in 1925, when F.X. Schreiner started collecting and cultivating irises in Minnesota. What started as a passion soon became a family pursuit. After growing interest and demand, the Schreiners relocated to Oregon’s Willamette Valley, drawn to the mild climate and fertile soil—ideal conditions for iris cultivation.
Today, the farm spans over 150 acres, with irises blooming across neatly organized fields every spring. Now run by the third and fourth generations of the family, Schreiner’s is not just a garden—it’s a living legacy of horticultural excellence and artistry.
Ben and Liz carry this legacy forward while honoring the work of those before them. In our interview, they reflected on the importance of balancing tradition with innovation—especially in an era where local flowers and sustainable farming are more important than ever.
How to Grow Bearded Iris Successfully
Here are essential tips to grow your own stunning iris garden—straight from the experts at Schreiner’s:
1. Choose a Sunny Spot
Bearded irises need at least 6–8 hours of full sun daily to bloom well. Good air circulation also helps prevent fungal issues.
2. Plant Rhizomes at Soil Level
Unlike bulbs, rhizomes should be planted at or just below the surface, with the tops slightly exposed. Burying them too deeply is a common mistake that can lead to poor flowering.
3. Provide Room to Grow
Space your rhizomes 12–24 inches apart to give them room to spread and ensure good airflow, which helps reduce disease pressure.
4. Divide Every Few Years
Bearded irises grow from rhizomes that multiply over time. Every 3–4 years, divide them to keep the plants healthy and blooming. The best time to divide is 4–6 weeks after bloom, typically in late summer.
5. Avoid Overwatering
These tough perennials prefer well-drained soil. Avoid overwatering, especially in the winter, and skip heavy mulch directly over the rhizomes.
The Art (and Patience) of Iris Breeding
One of the most fascinating parts of the Schreiner story is their work in iris hybridizing. As Ben Schreiner explains in the podcast, it can take a decade or more to bring a new iris to market.
Each year, thousands of seedlings are grown, evaluated, and trialed. Most are never named or released. Only the most stunning and vigorous make the cut—often after 10–12 years of observation and refinement.
“We’re not just growing flowers,” Ben says. “We’re preserving art and beauty across generations.”
This dedication shows. Schreiner’s continues to produce award-winning varieties known for their distinctive color, strong stems, and reliable performance in gardens across the country.
What Colors Are Trending in Iris Gardens?
While irises have long been associated with vivid purples and bold hues, Ben and Liz note a rising demand for softer, antique-inspired tones. Gardeners and florists alike are seeking:
- Dusty lavenders
- Smoky mauves
- Silvery blues
- Peachy creams and blushes
- Deep burgundy and near-black tones
These shades pair beautifully with cottage garden favorites like peonies, columbine, and alliums, and offer a romantic, timeless feel in the garden or vase.
When to Order and Plant Bearded Iris
Spring is the perfect time to plan your iris garden, but fall is when you’ll actually plant them. Here’s how it works:
- Order between late spring and summer (May–August)
- Rhizomes ship in mid-to-late summer, arriving at the ideal time for planting
- Plant in late July through September, giving rhizomes time to root before winter
🌐 You can browse Schreiner’s extensive collection at https://www.schreinersgardens.com and even shop by color, bloom time, or garden style.
Want More Tips and Insight into Growing Bearded Iris? Listen to the Full Episode
For the full story, tune into this week’s episode of The Backyard Bouquet, where we talk about:
- How Schreiner’s Iris Gardens became a household name
- What makes bearded iris an underrated superstar in cut flower farming
- Behind-the-scenes stories of life on a 150-acre iris farm
- Practical growing tips for gardeners of all levels
- Why flower legacy—and growing with intention—still matters today
🎧 Listen now:
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify Podcasts
Whether you’re planting your first iris or have rows of them blooming in your backyard, this episode is a celebration of resilience, beauty, and the flowers that keep blooming—season after season, generation after generation.
Bonus: Plan a Visit to Schreiner’s Iris Gardens
If you’re in the Pacific Northwest, don’t miss the chance to walk through acres of blooming bearded irises during their annual open house in May. The display gardens are a sight to behold—full of color, fragrance, and photo opportunities.
📍 Location: 3625 Quinaby Rd NE, Salem, Oregon
🌸 Details: [Insert Link to Schreiner’s Website]
Whether you visit in person or plant their rhizomes at home, Schreiner’s Iris Gardens brings a century of floral heritage right to your fingertips.
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