Mulching Around Iris

Should I mulch around bearded iris ?

Thanks.

Don't let any mulch touch the rhizome. Wet accululation can produce rot.

Would pea gravel used as a mulch be better? Thanks'
confussedlady

I would say so. Remember that irises bloom off the increase, this year's increases are next years flowers, so don't pile it on. I would prefer not to mulch them at all, & lightly applied pea gravel won't keep out all the weeds. But it would surely be the best choice.

Thanks. I won't mulch around them.

The top of Iris rhizomes need to bake in the sun for the production of blooms. Cover them would defeat that, not to mention rot.

I've never mulched any of mine--I did put some river rocks, not many, in some of the containers I planted only because the dirts tends to splash out of them during heavy rains. I didn't put the rock right up against the iris--just in the mostly dirt spots.

I have plenty of space between mine which the weeds love so I do mulch, but not up on the rhizome.