Irises: Can Iris Be Mulched?, 0 by jackieshar

jackieshar wrote:
Iris should not be mulched, it allows moisture to be held at the rhizome and will cause it to rot. Iris need good drainage. You can mulch around but not over the rhizomes. . The iris bellies like to bask in the sun. There is a natural product called horticultural cornmeal, (yes similar to what you bake with). It can be found at feed stores and some nurseries have it. Cast onto or worked into the surface of the soil it prevents germination of seeds. It won't prevent growth of already germinated seed not prevent ones that multiply from the root, but it is a cheap easy way to cut down on the problem of weed growth. In addition it is a good source of natural fertilizer. I plant rose moss around my iris in the beds, looks pretty and shades out some of the weed seeds that might come up.