SKU: 00840369419262 3 War Chief Reblooming Bearded Iris Iris germanica 'War Chief' Bareroots

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming rhizomatous perennial with thick horizontal rhizomes and fans of sword-shaped green to blue-green foliage. Established rhizomes gradually multiply outward to produce larger clumps.
• Bloom Color: Dramatic deep red, burgundy-red to wine-red flowers with rich, velvety coloration. Color intensity can appear somewhat different depending on sunlight, temperature, and stage of flower development.
• Flower Form: Large, classic Bearded Iris flowers with upright standards, gracefully arching falls, ruffled edges, and a prominent fuzzy beard.
• Bloom Season: Produces its primary flowering display in mid to late spring and has the potential to rebloom from late summer into fall. Rebloom varies according to climate, plant maturity, summer moisture, fertility, and length of the growing season.
• Fragrance: Flowers may have a light to pleasant fragrance, although scent intensity can vary according to growing conditions and individual flowers.
• Fruit Flavor: None. Pollinated flowers may produce dry seed capsules rather than fleshy fruit. Bearded Iris does not produce edible fruit, and the seeds should not be consumed.
• Culinary Uses: None recommended. War Chief is grown as an ornamental iris and should not be used as food. Rhizomes, foliage, flowers, and seeds should not be considered edible plant material.
• Medicinal Uses: Certain Iris species have histories of traditional medicinal and perfumery use, including the production of orris root from specially processed rhizomes of particular species. War Chief is an ornamental Bearded Iris and should not be used for homemade teas, herbal preparations, extracts, supplements, or self-treatment.
• Possible Toxicity to Pets or Humans: Harmful if ingested. Iris plants contain irritating compounds, particularly within the rhizomes. Ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, and abdominal discomfort. Iris can also cause gastrointestinal problems in dogs, cats, and horses. Contact with sap or rhizomes may irritate sensitive skin, so gloves are recommended when planting or dividing plants.
• Wildlife & Pest Resistance: Flowers may attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinating insects. Bearded Iris is generally considered resistant to deer and rabbit browsing. Potential pests include iris borers, aphids, thrips, slugs, and snails. Bacterial soft rot, fungal leaf diseases, and rhizome rot can occur, especially when plants are overcrowded or grown in wet, poorly drained soil.
• Planting Zone: Generally suitable for USDA Zones 3–9, although performance and rebloom can vary according to climate and local growing conditions.
• Sun Preferences: Prefers full sun, ideally receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Light afternoon shade may be beneficial in extremely hot climates, but excessive shade can reduce flowering and rebloom.
• Soil Preferences: Performs best in fertile, well-drained soil. Neutral to slightly alkaline soil is ideal. Avoid low-lying areas or heavy soils that remain saturated following rainfall.
• Drought Tolerance: High once established. Mature Bearded Iris handles periods of dry weather well. However, because War Chief is a reblooming selection, supplemental moisture during prolonged summer drought can help support the development of additional flower stalks.
• Mature Size: Generally develops into a tall, upright plant approximately 30–36 inches tall when flowering, with clumps gradually spreading approximately 18–24 inches or more as the rhizomes multiply.

When and How to Prune

War Chief requires very little conventional pruning.

Remove individual faded flowers as desired during the blooming season. Once all flowers on a stalk have finished, cut the entire spent flower stalk back near its base.

After the main spring flowering period, leave all healthy green foliage intact. The sword-shaped leaves continue photosynthesizing and transferring energy to the rhizomes.

This is especially important for a reblooming iris. Do not cut healthy foliage back during summer, because the plant requires this foliage to support continued growth and the potential development of additional flower stalks.

Remove yellow, brown, damaged, or diseased foliage as needed throughout the season.

If the plant reblooms, remove the second set of spent flower stalks once flowering is complete.

In late fall, after frost and natural foliage decline, trim old foliage back to approximately 4–6 inches above the ground. Remove dead leaves and other plant debris from around the rhizomes to help reduce overwintering pests and diseases.

Planting Instructions (Rhizomes into the Ground)

Although War Chief Bearded Iris may be sold alongside traditional flowering bulbs, it grows from a rhizome rather than a true bulb. Bearded Iris rhizomes must be planted very shallowly.

1. Plant rhizomes primarily from mid-summer through early fall, allowing several weeks for roots to establish before severe winter weather.
2. Choose a location receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day.
3. Make sure the planting area has excellent drainage. Avoid low spots where water regularly collects.
4. Loosen the soil approximately 8–10 inches deep before planting.
5. Improve heavy or poorly drained soil before planting if necessary.
6. Dig a shallow hole and create a small mound of soil in the center.
7. Place the rhizome horizontally across the top of the mound, with the leafy fan pointing upward.
8. Spread the attached roots naturally downward and outward over the sides of the mound.
9. Backfill soil around the roots while leaving the upper surface of the rhizome at soil level or slightly exposed.
10. Never bury the rhizome several inches underground like a tulip or daffodil bulb. Deep planting can significantly reduce flowering and encourage rhizome rot.
11. Space individual rhizomes approximately 12–18 inches apart.
12. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
13. Keep newly planted rhizomes moderately moist during establishment, but allow the soil to begin drying between waterings.
14. Once established, water deeply but less frequently.
15. Avoid applying thick mulch directly over the rhizomes. Good air circulation and some sunlight around the upper rhizome help reduce the likelihood of rot.

Encouraging Rebloom

War Chief is valued for its ability to potentially produce a second flowering display later in the growing season.

After the primary spring bloom, remove spent flower stalks while leaving all healthy foliage intact.

Provide supplemental water during prolonged periods of summer drought. While established Bearded Iris is drought tolerant, severe summer stress can reduce the likelihood of rebloom.

Avoid excessive nitrogen fertilizer, which can promote lush foliage while reducing flower production. If fertilization is necessary, choose an appropriate balanced or low-nitrogen fertilizer and follow label directions.

Keep plants in abundant sunlight and divide overcrowded clumps when necessary. Mature, healthy, uncrowded rhizomes generally have the best opportunity to produce additional flower stalks.

Depending on climate and growing conditions, the second flowering period may occur from late summer through fall. Rebloom should be considered a desirable potential characteristic rather than guaranteed every year.

Overwintering Steps

• War Chief is a cold-hardy perennial and can normally remain planted in the ground throughout winter within its recommended zones.
• After the final flowering period, remove spent flower stalks.
• Allow foliage to remain until it naturally declines with colder weather.
• In late fall, trim old foliage back to approximately 4–6 inches tall.
• Remove dead leaves, weeds, and garden debris from around the plants to reduce potential overwintering iris borers and disease organisms.
• Avoid placing thick, moisture-retaining mulch directly over the rhizomes.
• Newly planted rhizomes in particularly cold areas can receive a light protective winter covering after the ground becomes cold.
• Remove excessive winter protection as temperatures begin warming in spring.
• Excellent winter drainage is critical. Bearded Iris generally tolerates freezing temperatures better than cold, continuously saturated soil.
• Inspect rhizomes in early spring and remove any sections that have become soft, rotten, or severely damaged.

Dividing and Long-Term Care

War Chief gradually develops into a larger clump as established rhizomes produce new offsets. While this creates increasingly impressive displays, excessive crowding can eventually reduce both spring flowering and rebloom.

Divide mature clumps approximately every 3–5 years, preferably after the main flowering season during mid- to late summer.

Carefully lift the rhizomes and separate firm, vigorous younger sections. Discard portions that are old, hollow, soft, rotten, or severely damaged.

Replant healthy divisions at the proper shallow depth, positioning the roots beneath the soil while leaving the upper surface of each rhizome at or very near ground level.

With its rich red to burgundy-red flowers, dramatic ruffled form, tall flower stalks, architectural foliage, and potential for a second season of blooms, War Chief Reblooming Bearded Iris provides bold color and structure in the perennial garden. Its deep coloration pairs beautifully with white, cream, yellow, lavender, blue, and soft pink companions, while its drought tolerance, deer resistance, and long-lived perennial growth make it an excellent choice for sunny borders, cottage gardens, cutting gardens, and mass plantings.