The iris, celebrated for its unique structural beauty and wide spectrum of colors, is a popular choice for floral arrangements and garden planting. Its genus encompasses thousands of varieties, displaying the characteristic three upright petals (standards) and three drooping sepals (falls). Consumers typically purchase irises in two main formats: as fresh, cut stems for immediate enjoyment, or as planting stock (rhizomes or bulbs) for long-term growth. These distinct goals lead buyers to different retailers and require different considerations for timing and selection.
Purchasing Irises for Immediate Display
The easiest way to enjoy the iris flower quickly is by purchasing it as a fresh, cut stem for a bouquet or centerpiece. These flowers are readily available through local florists, high-end grocery stores, and supermarket floral departments. The commercial availability of cut irises, particularly Dutch Iris hybrids, has been extended, making them available nearly year-round through global markets.
For bulk purchases, such as for events, online flower delivery services and wholesale suppliers offer irises shipped directly from the farm. When selecting a cut iris, look for stems where the primary flower bud is closed but just beginning to show color. Choosing stems in this stage ensures maximum vase life, as the flower will open slowly over the next one to two days.
Retail Sources for General Planting Stock
For gardeners seeking to establish irises in their landscape, the search shifts to planting stock, which is most often found at general retail locations. Local garden centers and general nurseries are primary sources for common varieties, such as the widely grown Bearded Iris (Iris germanica) rhizomes. These retailers typically stock the most popular and dependable cultivars that appeal to a broad consumer base.
Big-box home improvement stores also offer packaged iris stock, usually in the form of bare-root rhizomes or bulbs, depending on the type. These packages often contain bulbous types, like Dutch Irises, which are planted similarly to tulips and daffodils. Variety selection at these general retailers is often limited to basic colors and high-demand types. The stock is commonly sold during peak spring and fall planting seasons, coinciding with the optimal planting windows.
Specialized and Mail-Order Suppliers
Enthusiasts seeking rare, heirloom, or newly hybridized irises will find their best selection through specialized and mail-order suppliers. Dedicated iris nurseries, often family-owned operations, focus exclusively on the genus, offering hundreds of different cultivars, including specific types like Siberian, Japanese, or Louisiana irises. These specialists provide access to unique selections, such as newer introductions or historic varieties that may not be available elsewhere.
These suppliers almost always ship their stock as bare-root rhizomes, which is the preferred method for establishing Bearded Irises. Specialized nurseries often ship harvested rhizomes fresh from the field during a specific window in the summer and early fall. Ordering from these catalogs allows the buyer to select specific traits, such as reblooming capabilities or color patterns, with the confidence of expert identification and quality control. Local iris societies also hold annual sales or exchanges, providing a venue to acquire unique cultivars directly from hobbyists and hybridizers.
Seasonal Timing and Quality Considerations
The successful purchase of iris planting stock depends on correct seasonal timing to ensure proper root establishment. For the most common Bearded Iris, the ideal time to plant rhizomes is in the late summer or early fall (typically July through September). This timing allows at least six weeks for root growth before the first hard frost. Specialized nurseries align their shipping schedules to send out freshly harvested stock during this period.
When purchasing planting stock, it is important to inspect the rhizomes or bulbs for signs of health. A healthy rhizome should be firm and dry, showing no signs of mushiness, rot, or mold. A clear growth point or “fan” of foliage should also be visible, along with a network of healthy, cream-colored roots.