🌊 Iris ‘Ocean Deep’: A Serene Beauty for Your Garden
🧪 Garden Recipe
Ingredients (What You’ll Need):
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1–5 healthy Iris ‘Ocean Deep’ rhizomes
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Well-draining garden soil (sandy loam preferred)
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A full-sun location (at least 6 hours of sunlight daily)
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Organic compost (for enrichment)
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Bone meal or a low-nitrogen bulb fertilizer
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Mulch (light, optional)
🪻 Step-by-Step Planting Instructions:
1. Select the Right Spot
Choose a location with full sun and good air circulation. Iris ‘Ocean Deep’ thrives when it basks in the light.
2. Prepare the Soil
Loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. Amend it with compost to enrich and improve drainage. If your soil is heavy clay, add sand or grit to help aerate it.
3. Add Fertilizer
Mix a handful of bone meal or a low-nitrogen fertilizer into the planting area to support strong root development.
4. Plant the Rhizomes
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Form a shallow mound of soil.
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Place the rhizome on top, spreading roots to each side.
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Cover the roots, but leave the top of the rhizome exposed—Iris dislike being buried.
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Space plants 12–18 inches apart to give them room to breathe.
5. Water Lightly
Water well after planting, then water sparingly until new growth appears. Overwatering can lead to rot.
🌱 Growing Tips for Serenity
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Divide Every 3–4 Years: Keeps your irises blooming vigorously.
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Deadhead Spent Blooms: This keeps your garden tidy and encourages new growth.
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Watch for Rot: Ensure soil drainage remains excellent; iris rot often begins with too much moisture.
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Winter Care: In colder zones, a light mulch helps protect rhizomes, but remove it in early spring.
🌼 Bloom Time
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Late Spring to Early Summer
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Height: ~28–36 inches
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Color: Deep oceanic blue with subtle veining and sometimes a violet beard
🌸 Final Touch
Surround Iris ‘Ocean Deep’ with contrasting companions like white peonies, silver lamb’s ear, or lavender to highlight its rich hues and evoke the serenity of a coastal garden.