Homestead Farms Louisiana Iris
Planting & Maintenance Tips

These Iris are native to Louisiana and the southeastern United States but can be grown all the way to planting zone 4, in fact they have one of the broadest growing ranges of all perennials, from zones 4 to 10! Though Louisiana Iris are at their best when grown in wet to boggy soil or in shallow water up to four inches deep, they can be grown successfully in consistently moist garden soil and will tolerate short periods of drought. Louisiana Iris grow naturally in heavy clay soils, adding compost or peat during planting will help retain moisture and provide nutrients, this is particularly important in sandy soils. For best blooms, plant in full sun (will also grow in partial shade) in slightly acidic soil.

Keep the bare root rhizomes moist (not wet) until you’re ready to plant. The rhizomes may be soaked in fresh water or a 10% bleach solution for 15-20 minutes before planting. Plant the rhizomes so that they’re completely covered with the top of the rhizome at or just below soil level. Space plants 15 to 18 inches apart. Apply 1 to 2 inches of mulch (pine straw or ground leaves make the best mulch) and water in thoroughly. Water occasionally to keep the ground from drying out until the iris are actively growing, then water deep a couple times per week, if needed, for best growth. Louisiana Iris are heavy feeders, an application of a balanced fertilizer (such as 8-8-8) at the start of the growing season (water in well) and a light application just before bloom is recommended. Transplanting should be done in late August or September.

Louisiana iris are beautiful late blooming iris, blooming after tall bearded iris and Siberian iris. Grow them in a mixed perennial garden, a bog, or at the edge of a pond or stream.

Homestead Farms • A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

Generally, Hostas prefer to be grown in fertile soil that is moist but well-drained and part shade to partly sunning conditions. Light requirements can vary greatly between cultivars and can also depend on local climate – hostas grown in cooler northern climates can tolerate more direct sun than hostas grown in the south. Understanding these basic requirements and following our recommendations will help your hosta get quickly established and reward you with years of beauty!

As stated above, the amount of light a hosta should receive is dependent on climate. Hostas grown in bright, dappled sunlight throughout the day or hostas grown in morning sun and afternoon shade would be considered ideal conditions for most climates in the U.S. Hostas will do best in moist, well-drained soils with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. If your soil is sandy or heavy clay we recommend working in lots of composted organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or peat moss. In sandy soils compost will help retain water and nutrients for the plant. In clay soils compost loosens the soil for better drainage and root development.

Upon receiving your new hostas, remove the packing and soak the bare roots in a solution of water & soluble fertilizer overnight. If the hosta cannot be planted within a day or two of receipt, they can be potted and held in a shaded place until ready to plant. After the compost has been added and the ground worked up in the bed to be planted, dig a hole larger than the root mass. In the center of the hole make a mound so that the crown of the hosta can rest on it with the roots fanned out & running down each side of the mound. Work the soil around the roots filling the hole, firm the soil, water well and apply a thin layer of your favorite mulch. Take care to keep the mulch off the hosta petiole to discourage fungal diseases.

Ideally hostas should be lightly mulched in spring and fall and fed in spring (when you see them poking through the ground) and early summer. A balanced granular fertilizer (10-10-10) or a slow release may be used in the spring and a liquid fertilizer in early summer. During the growing season hostas should receive one inch of water per week. Morning watering is the best (evening and night watering tends to encourage slugs).

Homestead Farms • A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

Peonies are easy to grow, trouble free and will bloom every year for generations. This perfect landscape plant can be used in many ways such as mass plantings, hedges, specimen plants and as cut flowers with its huge blooms and delightful fragrance. We carry herbaceous and intersectional types. Herbaceous peonies (also known as bush peonies) die to the ground in winter and re-emerge in March. Intersectional peonies (such as 'Bartzella') are made by crossing a herbaceous peony with a woody tree peony. The result is the best of both worlds: large flowers, robust herbaceous foliage, strong stems, longer bloom and increased vigor!

Bare root peonies are best planted in the fall months of September through November. Peonies do best planted in well drained soil in full sun not too close to large shrubs or trees that could rob them of water and nutrients. Protection from late afternoon sun and harsh winds will help prolong the bloom time. Peonies should be spaced 3 to 4 feet apart.

Before planting soak the peony roots in water for several hours.Work up the ground to a depth and width of 12” to 18” mixing in plenty of compost.Plant the root so that the top most eyes are one to two inches below the ground level. Southern gardeners should plant the eyes at ground level. Tamp gently and water well. Newly planted peonies should be mulched. Established plants need no winter protection.

Any all-purpose garden fertilizer not to high in nitrogen may be applied in the spring time after the shoots have emerged, although if your ground was properly prepared at planting time there should be little need for fertilization. An occasional topping of compost in the fall should be sufficient. When the foliage turns brown in the fall, cut back to near ground level and burn or discard the old foliage.

Though peonies are slow to establish (3 to 4 years to reach their full potential), you can be assured that they are developing a deep root system which will help produce flowers that are well worth the wait. Once established, peonies can live for 50 years or more!

Additional culture notes on Intersectional Peonies

Though the care for intersectional peonies is basically the same as for herbaceous peonies, there are a couple differences:

1. Do not cut plants all the way back in the fall since the lower part of the stem often carries next year's buds. Buds also come from underground like herbaceous peonies.

2. As with all peonies, planting depth is critical. For intersectional peonies, the crown (where the stems meet the roots) should be planted 1-1/2" to 2" below the soil level. Note: if the eyes have begun to grow, they may stick above the soil level after planting.

Homestead Farms - A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

Siberian Iris are among the easiest, carefree Iris to grow. These graceful, but rugged plants bloom in late spring and maintain their beautiful grass-like foliage all season making them a wonderful choice for the perennial border, planted at the edge of a water feature or naturalized in a mass planting.

Bare root Siberian Iris are best planted in the Spring & late Summer in cold climates and the Fall in hot climates. They prefer full sun (minimum 6 hours) in cooler climates to part shade for hotter climates. Siberian Iris are adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions but do best in a neutral to slightly acidic soil. If you have an alkaline soil work in agricultural sulfur to lower the pH. Siberian Iris prefer moist, well drained soil, so at the time of planting work in lots of composted organic matter to help retain moisture during the dry months. Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart. Fertilize in spring when new growth appears and again after bloom using a balanced granular or water soluble fertilizer (i.e. 10-10-10).

Upon receiving the plants, open the box immediately and soak the roots in water for a few hours (up to two days) before planting. It is important that Siberian Iris roots stay moist, although allowing the roots to dry out should not harm the plant but will delay its growth. If any mold has grown on the plant during shipment it can be safely killed by soaking the plant in a 10% bleach solution for 10 minutes, then soak in fresh water before planting.

Plant Siberian Iris so the crown (where the leaves emerge from the rhizome) is 1.5 to 2 inches below the finished soil level. Water in thoroughly and mulch. Mulching newly planted Siberians is very important. The mulch protects the roots from drying out and keeps them cool in the hot summer months. Provide enough water to keep the plants moist the entire growing season, about an inch per week. Siberian Iris may not bloom the first year planted. Once established (after the first year) Siberians are very tough plants and can survive dry periods but will always perform better if given adequate water. Wait about three weeks after planting before applying fertilizer.

Homestead Farms - A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

Clematis can be planted spring through early fall. They generally require 5 to 6 hours of sunlight, though some varieties will take more shade. Clematis roots grow long and deep and like it cool and damp, but not soggy. Clematis prefers slightly alkaline soil, so if your soil is acidic your vines will benefit from some agricultural lime.

Work up the ground to a depth and width of 12” to 18” mixing in plenty of compost.Plant the clematis deep so the first two sets of leaf nodes are underground. This will encourage the plant to send up more stems, creating a bushier plant. After planting, a 4” layer of mulch will keep the roots cool and moist. Also a planting of annuals or a low growing shrub around the base of the clematis will help shade the roots.

Feed your clematis once a year after pruning with an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as a 10-10-10. The first spring after planting, prune your clematis back to 10 to 12”. This will promote heavier branching and flowering. After the first year, follow pruning guidelines below.

Clematis type 1: Cut out any winter damaged stems as soon as spotted. After flowering, prune lightly removing all dead & weak stems. This group produces flowers directly from old stems.

Clematis type 2: In early spring remove all dead material above swelling leaf buds as this groups first flowering comes from last season’s ripened stems.

Clematis type 3: Prune hard (to within a foot of the ground, leaving 2 to 4 sets of leaf buds per stem) in February or March when leaf buds begin to show low on the plant as this groups flowering comes from new growth.

With good cultural practices, your clematis will give you years of enjoyment!

Homestead Farms - A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

Homestead Farms Daylilies
Planting & Maintenance Tips

Daylilies are among the easiest, carefree perennials to grow. Though daylilies are tolerant of and perform well in a wide range of conditions, following these recommendations will assure your daylilies will get off to a fast start and reward you with plenty of beautiful blooms!

Though daylilies prefer to be planted in full sun (minimum 6 hours) they will tolerate part shade conditions, particularly some of the darker red and purple varieties. Too much shade will cause reduced flowering. Daylilies will grow in a wide range of soil conditions but do best in moist, well-drained soils. If your soil is sandy or heavy clay we recommend working in lots of composted organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or peat moss. In sandy soils compost will help retain water and nutrients for the plant. In clay soils compost loosens the soil for better drainage and root development.

Soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. If the daylilies cannot be planted within a day or two of receipt, they can be safely held in a shaded place keeping the roots damp in potting mix until ready to plant. After the compost has been added and the ground worked up in the bed to be planted, dig a hole larger than the root mass. In the center of the hole make a mound and set the daylily in place with its roots spread on each side of the mound. The crown (where the foliage & roots meet) should be no deeper than ½ to 1 inch below the finished soil level. Work the soil around the roots filling the hole, firm the soil and water well. Mulch all fall planted daylilies! Daylilies should be spaced 18 to 24 inches apart.

Daylilies love water and are essential for good blooms and reblooms! Watering is most important in the spring and summer during bud development and flowering. Generally a single application of a balanced fertilizer in early spring is sufficient, although a low nitrogen fertilizer may also be added in the fall. Daylilies will benefit from an application of mulch, discouraging weeds, reducing soil temperature & conserving water.Deadhead the old blooms and remove the dried up bloom scapes to give the garden a neat appearance. In the spring, clear away dead foliage & debris from around the plant.

Homestead Farms • A Perennial Nursery
Phone 1-888-314-3148 • www.homesteadfarms.com

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