Superstition Bearded Iris
Iris 'Superstition'
flowerSuperstition is a striking tall bearded iris, opening richly ruffled flowers of deep blackish-purple on stems about three feet tall in late spring, with a light fragrance. Bearded iris are named for the fuzzy caterpillar-like beards on their falls, and they grow from thick surface rhizomes rather than bulbs. Few flowers are as dramatic or as easy: the swordlike gray-green foliage is handsome all season, the plants are extremely drought tolerant, and a single rhizome multiplies into a showy clump in a few years. A cottage-garden and cutting-garden classic for a sunny, well-drained spot.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~45 days
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Difficulty
medium
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
12-24 in. apart
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Planting Depth
Plant the rhizome with its top right at the soil surface (never buried)
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Soil pH
6.5-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Average, sharply well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 9
When to Fertilize
In early spring and again after bloom
Fertilizer
Low-nitrogen fertilizer (such as 6-10-10) or bone meal
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant bearded iris rhizomes in summer to early fall in a sunny, sharply drained spot - full sun is essential for good bloom. The single most important rule is to plant shallow: set the rhizome so its top sits right at or just barely below the soil surface, with the roots spread below, because a buried rhizome rots and refuses to flower. Space rhizomes twelve to twenty-four inches apart with the leafy fan pointing the direction you want growth. They are hardy in zones 3 to 9 and very drought tolerant once established. After bloom, cut the flower stalk to the base. Divide crowded clumps every three to four years in mid to late summer, trimming the leaves to a fan and replanting the youngest rhizomes.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care — they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
May 30
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Stella de Oro Daylily — Takes over the bloom just as the iris finishes and shares the same full sun and lean, well-drained soil
- Peony — A classic late-spring companion that flowers alongside the iris in the cottage border
- Catmint — A soft blue haze that hides the iris ankles and contrasts the upright sword foliage
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The most serious pest - its caterpillar tunnels into the rhizome and invites rot; clean up and destroy old foliage in fall to kill overwintering eggs, and cut out any borer found when dividing
Turns rhizomes to foul mush, often after borer damage - plant shallow in well-drained soil, avoid excess nitrogen, and cut away and discard any soft, smelly tissue
Streak and distort buds in hot weather - remove debris and treat heavy infestations; usually minor
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Bearded iris make elegant, if short-lived, cut flowers - cut a stem in the cool morning when the first bud is just unfurling, and the remaining buds will open in sequence in the vase over several days. Always cut the whole flower stalk down to the base once the last bloom fades, since a spent stalk can invite rot. Leave the sword foliage standing through summer to feed the rhizome, then clean it all away in fall to deny the borer a place to overwinter.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
An ornamental perennial grown for its dramatic late-spring flowers and architectural foliage. Bees visit the open blooms, working past the fuzzy beard to reach nectar, but iris is grown for the show rather than for food or major wildlife value.
⚠️ Toxicity & safety
Iris are toxic to dogs, cats, and horses if eaten, with the highest concentration in the rhizome, causing drooling, vomiting, and diarrhea. The sap can also irritate skin in sensitive people. It is safe to grow around; just keep pets from digging and chewing the rhizomes.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.