IRIS 'City Lights'. Tall Bearded. Midspring bloom. 37" tall. Reblooming. Fragrant. Deep violet blue with a lighter midrib. Falls are deep blue, almost purple with a large white area surrounding a pale yellow beard. Said to have the fragrance of root beer. Drought tolerant, highly resistant to deer and rabbits, very attractive to butterflies! Some cultivars will be larger than others at shipping. Zones 3-10. #1 grade, bareroot rhizome. Tall Bearded Irises will produce the most flowers if they receive a full day of sun, but will also perform reasonably well with a half day of sun. The most critical growing factor is the moisture level of the soil and drainage. Bearded Irises will absolutely not tolerate "wet feet" (too much water will cause the rhizomes to rot) and require very well-drained soil at all times of the year. They will grow in any good garden soil as long as this drainage is provided. Plant 12-18 inches apart to allow ample room for new growth and good air circulation. Planting at the correct level is critical to the plant's health and flower production. Position the rhizome so roughly 2/3rd of the rhizome is above soil and the lower half is roughly 1/3rd below the soil. Roots go below soil, rhizome above. Doing this will help to prevent soft rot. Irises are generally heavy feeders and should be fertilized 3 times per year: first in the spring when new growth appears, second right after blooming, and third in the fall. When planting them for the first time or when transplanting, use a no-nitrogen fertilizer such as 0-10-10 worked into the soil.
