SKU: 00840369421760 3 'I’ve Got Rhythm' (Iris germanica) Bareroots

Plant Features & Growing Information

• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming herbaceous perennial growing from thick, fleshy underground rhizomes. Produces attractive fans of sword-shaped, blue-green foliage and sturdy flowering stalks reaching approximately 37–41 inches tall. Mature clumps typically spread 12–18 inches wide, gradually expanding as the rhizomes multiply.

• Bloom Color: Produces large, beautifully ruffled flowers featuring lilac-purple upper petals, called standards, and creamy yellow lower petals, called falls, edged in rich mulberry-purple. Bright tangerine-orange beards provide a striking contrast. This distinctive patterned coloration is known as a plicata pattern.

• Bloom Time: Flowers primarily in mid- to late spring, generally during the early to middle portion of the tall bearded iris blooming season. Blooming typically lasts approximately 2–3 weeks, depending on weather conditions and plant maturity.

• Fragrance: Fragrance is not a prominently documented characteristic of this cultivar. Any floral scent may be subtle or variable. I've Got Rhythm is primarily valued for its dramatic flower coloration rather than fragrance.

• Fruit Flavor: Not grown for edible fruit. Following flowering, fertilized blossoms may develop elongated, dry seed capsules containing hard seeds. These have no culinary value or desirable flavor and should not be consumed.

• Culinary Uses: Not edible. I've Got Rhythm Bearded Iris is cultivated strictly as an ornamental flowering perennial. Its flowers, foliage, rhizomes, and seeds are not recommended for culinary use.

• Medicinal Uses: Certain iris species have histories of traditional medicinal and perfumery applications, particularly selected species used to produce orris root. However, I've Got Rhythm has no established safe medicinal applications. Its rhizomes contain potentially irritating compounds and should not be consumed or used in homemade herbal remedies.

• Possible Toxicity to Pets or Humans: Toxic to cats, dogs, horses, and humans if ingested. Iris plants contain irritating compounds, particularly concentrated in their rhizomes. Consumption may cause drooling, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort. Handling rhizomes or plant sap may also cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals. Wear gardening gloves when planting or dividing rhizomes, and keep plant material away from children and pets.

• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Generally deer- and rabbit-resistant due to its unpalatable foliage and rhizomes. Its flowers may attract bees and other beneficial pollinators. Typically resistant to many common garden pests, although iris borers, aphids, thrips, and occasional fungal diseases may occur. Poor drainage can contribute to bacterial soft rot and rhizome decay.

• USDA Planting Zones: Commonly listed as hardy in USDA Zones 3–9, although the American Iris Society gives Zones 4–8 as a general range for many tall bearded irises. Established plants tolerate freezing winter temperatures and return each spring. Excellent drainage is essential for successful overwintering.

• Sun Preferences: Thrives in full sun, ideally receiving 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Can tolerate light partial shade, particularly in warmer climates, but abundant sunlight encourages stronger flowering stalks, healthier rhizomes, and more abundant blooms.

• Drought Tolerance: High once established. I've Got Rhythm Bearded Iris tolerates periods of dry weather and performs well in water-wise gardens. Newly planted rhizomes require moderate moisture while developing roots. Established plants generally need supplemental watering only during prolonged drought. Avoid consistently wet soil.

• Soil Preferences: Prefers fertile, loose, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Performs especially well in sandy or loamy soil. Heavy clay soil should be improved for drainage or planted in raised beds. Avoid locations where water accumulates, as prolonged moisture can cause rhizome rot.

• When to Prune: Remove spent flowers throughout the blooming season. Cut back finished flowering stalks after the spring bloom cycle. Major foliage cleanup is best performed in late fall after a hard frost or early spring before new growth begins.

• How to Prune: Remove faded flowers individually as they decline. Once all blossoms on a flowering stalk have finished, cut the stalk near its base without damaging the surrounding foliage. Leave healthy green leaves intact during the growing season to replenish the rhizomes' energy reserves. In late fall, remove dead or diseased foliage. If necessary, trim remaining leaves to approximately 4–6 inches above the ground, although healthy foliage can be left intact.

• Growth Rate: Moderate once established. Healthy rhizomes gradually multiply, producing additional fans of foliage and flowering stems. Mature clumps may require division approximately every 3–4 years to prevent overcrowding and maintain abundant blooms.

• Cut Flower Uses: Excellent for fresh-cut flower arrangements. Its large, ruffled, purple-and-yellow blossoms add dramatic color and elegance to bouquets. Harvest flowering stalks when the first bud begins to open for attractive indoor displays.

Planting Instructions from Bulbs into the Ground

Important: I've Got Rhythm Bearded Iris grows from thick, fleshy rhizomes rather than true bulbs. Proper planting depth is essential because burying rhizomes too deeply can prevent flowering and encourage rot.

• Best Planting Time: Plant rhizomes in late summer through early fall, ideally allowing approximately 4–6 weeks for root establishment before the ground freezes. Spring planting is also possible, although flowering may be delayed until the following season.

• Choose a Location: Select a sunny planting site receiving 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Choose an area with excellent drainage and sufficient space for the mature clump.

• Prepare the Soil: Loosen the soil to a depth of approximately 8–12 inches, removing weeds, rocks, and debris. Incorporate a modest amount of compost if needed to improve soil structure. Avoid excessive organic matter that retains moisture around the rhizomes.

• Dig the Hole: Dig a shallow planting hole approximately 4–6 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the rhizome and its roots. Create a small mound of soil in the center of the hole to support the rhizome.

• Position the Rhizome: Place the rhizome horizontally on top of the soil mound, spreading its roots downward and outward along the sides. Position the fan of leaves, if present, upright.

• Planting Depth: Cover the roots with soil while leaving the upper surface of the rhizome exposed or barely covered with soil. In warmer climates, the top of the rhizome should remain visible. In colder climates, a very thin covering of soil may provide additional protection. Avoid deep planting.

• Spacing: Space rhizomes approximately 18–24 inches apart to accommodate their mature growth and allow room for future expansion.

• Backfill: Gently fill the planting hole around the roots, firming the soil to eliminate air pockets while keeping the upper surface of the rhizome exposed or only lightly covered.

• Water Thoroughly: Water immediately after planting to settle the soil and encourage root development. Continue watering occasionally during dry weather until new roots establish. Avoid excessive watering or consistently saturated soil.

• Mulching: Avoid placing thick mulch directly over the rhizomes. Bearded Iris rhizomes benefit from sunlight and air circulation, and heavy mulch can trap moisture and encourage rot. If mulch is needed for weed control, keep it several inches away from the rhizomes.

• Fertilization: Apply a light application of low-nitrogen fertilizer, such as a 5-10-10 formulation, in early spring if soil fertility is inadequate. A second light feeding after flowering may encourage healthy rhizome development. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can promote foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

• Spring Growth: As temperatures warm, new leaves and flowering stalks emerge from established rhizomes. Maintain moderate soil moisture during active growth and flowering.

Overwintering & Seasonal Care

• Zones 3–6: I've Got Rhythm Bearded Iris is generally cold-hardy and can remain in the ground throughout winter. Ensure excellent drainage to prevent rhizome rot. In regions with severe freeze-thaw cycles, apply a light layer of loose mulch around newly planted rhizomes after the ground freezes, removing it in early spring.

• Zones 7–9: Plants generally overwinter successfully without extensive protection. Good drainage and adequate sunlight are especially important in regions with wet winters.

• Fall Maintenance: Remove spent flowering stalks and dead, yellowing, or diseased foliage. After a hard frost, trim remaining foliage to approximately 4–6 inches if desired.

• Winter Dormancy: Aboveground foliage may partially or completely die back during freezing temperatures. The rhizomes remain alive and produce fresh growth when temperatures warm.

• Late Winter/Early Spring: Remove accumulated leaves, debris, and any protective mulch covering the rhizomes. Inspect plants for soft or damaged rhizomes and remove affected material.

• Spring Regrowth: Fresh sword-shaped foliage emerges as soil temperatures rise. Apply a light feeding of low-nitrogen fertilizer if needed and water during extended dry periods.

• Dividing Rhizomes: Divide established clumps approximately every 3–4 years, preferably in mid- to late summer after flowering. Carefully lift the rhizomes, separate healthy sections containing at least one fan of leaves, discard damaged or diseased portions, and replant at the proper shallow depth.

Additional Growing Tips

I've Got Rhythm Bearded Iris is especially beautiful in cottage gardens, perennial borders, cutting gardens, rock gardens, and colorful mass plantings. Its rich lilac-purple and creamy yellow flowers pair wonderfully with lavender, salvia, catmint, coreopsis, coneflowers, and ornamental grasses.

For a particularly dramatic display, plant I've Got Rhythm rhizomes together in groups of three, five, or more. Their tall, elegant flowering stalks create beautiful vertical accents, while their sword-shaped foliage provides architectural interest even when the plants are not blooming.

Garden Tip: One of the most important secrets to growing healthy Bearded Iris is proper rhizome placement. Unlike traditional flower bulbs, Bearded Iris rhizomes should remain at or very near the soil surface. Planting too deeply or covering them with thick mulch can significantly reduce flowering and increase the risk of rot.

Important Growing Consideration: I've Got Rhythm is classified as a spring-blooming tall bearded iris, not a reliably reblooming cultivar. Its primary flowering season occurs in late spring, and a second bloom should not be expected.