The ‘Boston Cream’ Iris is a popular choice for gardens, known for its creamy hues and relatively straightforward care. This cultivar adds softness and elegance to landscape designs.
Understanding the Boston Cream Iris
The ‘Boston Cream’ Iris features warm white standards and falls, often displaying faint green texture veining and subtle apricot buff shading on the shoulders. Its deeply ruffled blooms create an elegant appearance. This medium-height iris typically reaches 24 to 48 inches tall.
Blooming from late spring through early summer, the plant often offers a delightful fragrance. ‘Boston Cream’ is classified as a Tall Bearded Iris (TBI), growing from fleshy, underground stems called rhizomes. Tall Bearded Irises are known for their substantial, showy flowers and upright, sword-like leaves.
Planting Boston Cream Iris
‘Boston Cream’ Irises thrive in full sun, ideally receiving at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. Good drainage is essential, as irises are susceptible to rot in consistently wet conditions. They prefer well-draining, neutral to slightly acidic soil.
The optimal time for planting ‘Boston Cream’ Iris rhizomes is typically from late summer to early fall, specifically July through September. This timing allows the rhizomes to establish a robust root system before winter. When planting, dig a shallow hole, creating a small mound of soil in the center. Place the rhizome on this mound, spreading its roots downwards, with the top half remaining partially exposed to the sun. Space individual rhizomes about 12 to 24 inches apart to ensure proper air circulation and prevent overcrowding.
Ongoing Care for Boston Cream Iris
Established ‘Boston Cream’ Irises require full sun exposure for optimal blooming; insufficient light can lead to reduced flower production. While newly planted rhizomes need regular watering, established irises are drought-tolerant and prefer deep, infrequent watering. Overwatering should be avoided, especially in winter, as excess moisture can lead to rhizome rot.
Fertilize with a low-nitrogen formula, such as a 6-10-10 mix, to encourage flowering rather than just foliage growth. Over-fertilization with nitrogen can inhibit blooming. Deadheading spent blooms by removing the flower stalks after flowering redirects the plant’s energy towards rhizome development rather than seed production.
Division helps maintain the health and flowering capacity of ‘Boston Cream’ Iris. Overcrowding can decrease bloom production as rhizomes compete for nutrients and space. Dividing the rhizomes every three to five years, typically in mid to late summer after blooming, rejuvenates the plant. During division, discard old, woody sections and replant healthy, younger rhizomes.
Troubleshooting Common Problems
‘Boston Cream’ Irises may encounter pests and diseases. Iris borers are a common pest; their larvae burrow into foliage and rhizomes, potentially causing secondary bacterial infections. Good garden sanitation, such as removing dead leaves in the fall, can help reduce borer populations.
Bacterial soft rot, characterized by a soft, foul-smelling rhizome, is another issue, often exacerbated by overly wet conditions or borer damage. Remove all diseased tissue from affected rhizomes and allow them to dry in the sun before replanting. Fungal leaf spot appears as brown spots on leaves and can be managed by removing infected foliage and ensuring good air circulation.
If irises fail to bloom, common factors include insufficient sunlight, over-fertilization with nitrogen, overcrowded rhizomes, or planting them too deeply.