|Iris are an incredibly diverse group of bulbs and rhizomes,
encompassing over 200 species and numerous cultivars. They range
widely in cultural requirements, some are drought tolerant,
while others require a pond to flourish. Flower color and size
vary dramatically as well. Foliage is grass-like or sword-like,
and flowers are complex, very showy. The three inner
segments(known as standards) are petals, the outer ones(known as
falls) are sepals. There are three main categories of irises:
bearded, beardless and crested. Bearded iris are the most
popular and well known, and come in virtually every color. The
iris borer is a serious pest, found east of the Rockies in
Canada, south to Washington, D.C. west to Iowa. Small piles of
"sawdust" near the iris rhizome, is the sign of iris borer.
Where winter temperatures remain above 10F, it is absent or
rare. It is a larval form of a moth, the main prevention is a
good fall garden cleanup of debris where larva can overwinter.
I.histrioides is a Reticulata iris similar