My bearded iris are falling over. If I plant them leaving the tops exposed in loose soil, what holds them up?

I just planted some hand-me-down rhizomes. They are so close to the surface the keep falling over. EXACTLY how much of the rhizome should be visable?

My bearded iris are falling over. If I plant them leaving the tops exposed in loose soil, what holds them up?
When you buy bearded irises from a specialist nursery they actually cut half the height of the leaves before you take them home. The reason for this is the rhizome (lump on the bottom) will grow roots easily and not have to try to keep all the green top leaves going at the same time. (bit stressful for a newly divided plant.). They will quickly grow new leaves and the cut ones are not noticeable once the plant gets going.



Also obviously the weight also pulls them over. I've never had this problem but when I break them up I just cut the leaves in half.



I live in a very hot climate and I bury them just below the surface (just a sprinkle of soil over the top) because sometimes the rhizome gets sun burnt. If you live in a very wet or cold climate leave them just exposed. I think it is only the leaves that is causing your trouble.



They can rot off if over watered or the rhizome is fully buried.



All they need is well drained soil, sun and a regular garden water to grow well. Annual fertilizer in the growing season - autumn.



No need to cut down to 2 inches I cut them down to 4 to 5 inches with no problems.
Reply:Iris should be planted near the top of the ground. Just barely cover the rhizome with soil. Try trimming the blades down to about about 2 inches above the top of the rhizome to avoid them toppling over. Water them well after planting. It shouldn't take them long to take root.
Reply:Trim the tops of the new divisions to about one third of their height to conserve moisture and keep the plants more stable. Plant 10 to 18 inches apart in a good organic and well drained soil, to a depth to where the rhizome is just covered. If your soil is mostly heavy clay, enrich with compost, or plant higher, with part of the rhizome exposed above the soil level. In either case, the roots should be spread out and downwards so that they hold the rhizome firmly. Tamp down soil around the plants and water well until established.



See source for more info