Iris Chestnuts Roasting Bearded Iris

A tall bearded iris, Chestnuts Roasting rises to an approximate height of 3 feet and blooms in mid-spring. The flowers are richly colored in shades of toasted umber, dark orange, and rustic red, with a touch of gold at their base and mustard gold beards. Extremely ruffled and heavily laced, the elegant blooms make gorgeous cut flowers for spring bouquets or mixed arrangements. Left in the garden, their slightly musky scent is especially appealing to butterflies.

An Iris germanica cultivar, Chestnuts Roasting is a rhizomatous perennial that multiplies over time. Iris Chestnuts Roasting has an upright, clumping habit and is well-branched, with stems bearing loads of buds and emerging from a base of long, slender blue-green leaves that provide a strong architectural background for the blooms and add to the overall beauty of the plant.

Bearded irises are great for adding structure and color to mixed borders, beds, and foundation plantings. They look their best when grouped or massed, but if the plants become overcrowded, they can simply be divided and replanted in other areas of the garden.

Naturally hardy, bearded iris are easy to grow and maintain. A sunny to partly shady location with 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight and well-drained soil having a pH between 6.1 and 7.2 produces the healthiest plants with the most blooms. But bearded irises tolerate a wide range of garden soils. They prefer consistent moisture but don't like wet feet, which can cause rhizome rot, but they are fairly drought and heat tolerant once established. For best results, fertilize your plant in spring about 6 weeks prior to bloom time (if possible) with Espoma Flower Tone and remove spent flowers after blooming. Deer and rabbits tend to leave iris alone.

For more detailed information on caring for your bearded irises, be sure to check out our Iris Care Guide: How to Grow, Plant, and Maintain Iris Plants. Additionally, for advice on selecting the perfect irises for your garden, don't miss our blog on Tips for Choosing the Best Type of Iris Flowers for Your Garden. These resources will provide you with all the tips and tricks you need to ensure your irises thrive and beautify your outdoor space.