Greenhouse enthusiasts advised on bearded irises

Every gardener should have bearded irises in their yard or greenhouse, it has been suggested.

The assertion was made in the Daily Telegraph, where growers were given tips on caring for the plant.

"Grey-green leaves, strong stems and fragrant, frilly flowers often in fabulous colours," make the species a good summer choice, according to the newspaper.

When it comes time to divide the plants up, older pieces should be thrown away, while the plumper, paler ones should be moved to a sunny, well-drained spot where the soil is rich in organic matter.

The article advises cutting back leaves and replanting with the top of the rhizome showing.

If a garden is overly windy, the species should be protected in some way – some gardeners may choose to grow them under glass to help overcome this problem.

Horticulture lovers looking to get their hands on one of the roughly 200 varieties available may wish to head to the British Iris Society at Royal Horticultural Society Wisley in Woking, Surrey, according to HomesandGarden.com.