First Flush of Blooms
As soon as the recent heat spell hit, it was like a starting pistol had been fired. Our irises, which had been patiently waiting, took off like rockets, exploding into their first blooms.
“Hemstitched” iris in early morning light
For us, seeing the first flush of blooms feels like that crack of the starting pistol as well. When we put the irises to “bed” last fall, it was with a bit of relief; there’s a lot of work involved in iris processing, especially with a small crew. But at the same time, the relief was bittersweet. We love these flowers - not just their beauty, but the fascinating way they have been developed, especially the reblooming irises.
Reblooming Tall Bearded Irises: How and Why They Bloom More Than Once
Reblooming tall bearded irises are a great option if you want flowers that come back more than once in a single season. Unlike regular tall bearded irises that bloom once in late spring or early summer, rebloomers can flower again in late summer or early fall. Some even bloom a third time, depending on your climate and how they’re cared for.
Why They Rebloom
Reblooming irises are bred specifically to flower more than once. These plants grow quickly and can produce new sets of leaves and flower stalks soon after the first bloom ends. This allows them to send up another round of flowers in the same growing season, as long as the weather and growing conditions are right.
What They Need to Bloom Again
To encourage reblooming, you’ll need to give these irises a little more attention than standard varieties:
Watering: After the first bloom, keep the plants watered during dry periods. While irises are drought-tolerant, rebloomers need consistent moisture to push out new growth and bloom stalks later in the season.
Feeding: Fertilize twice—once in early spring and again after the first bloom. Use a balanced, low-nitrogen fertilizer (like 5-10-10 or 6-10-10) to support flower production without encouraging too much leafy growth.
Sunlight: Like all bearded irises, rebloomers need full sun—at least 6 hours a day. Without enough light, they’re less likely to bloom again.
Deadheading and Clean-up: After each bloom cycle, remove spent flower stalks and any yellowing leaves. This keeps the plant tidy and reduces the chance of disease.
Dividing: Every 2–3 years, divide the rhizomes to prevent overcrowding. Overcrowded clumps tend to bloom less, and dividing keeps plants healthy and productive.
Climate Considerations
Reblooming irises perform best in areas with long, warm summers and mild falls. In colder regions, they may only rebloom occasionally, especially if the growing season is short. However, some varieties have been bred to rebloom even in zones as cold as 4 or 5.
Popular Varieties
A few reblooming tall bearded iris varieties worth considering:
‘Immortality’ – White, dependable rebloomer in many climates
‘Hemstitched’ – silvery lavender with darker accents around the edges, rebloomer in several climates
‘Feedback’ – Deep blue-purple, good cold-climate rebloomer - Note: we will be offering VERY limited amounts of ‘Feedback’ this year, so join our mailing list to see when it comes up for sale!
Bottom Line
Reblooming tall bearded irises are a practical way to get more color in your garden without planting twice. With the right care—mainly watering, fertilizing, and sun—you can enjoy flowers not just in spring but again later in the season. If you're looking for a low-effort way to extend your garden's bloom time, these irises are a solid choice.
