LOUISIANA TIPS

• Grow in direct sun – at least six hours a day for good blooming.

• Planting in the garden? Create a trench to hold water, plant the rhizome 5cm deep and mulch over.

• Fertilise. Use manure and compost but never nitrogen or lime (an azalea or camellia mix can be used). Improve alkaline soils with sulphur or organic matter. Louisianas are good feeders – fertilise in midwinter, again during blooming and in late summer or early autumn when new foliage appears.

• Keep Louisiana irises well-watered until about December. Avoid overhead watering during humid periods.

• Keep the rhizomes well-mulched during summer dormancy. • The plants are fast-growing, hardy (frost tolerant) and vigorous. Cut spent flowers to prevent the plant putting energy into seed production.

• Lift and replant every three to four years. More tips at irisgarden.co.nz.