A popular group of perennial garden irises grown from thick rhizomes, distinguished by a fuzzy line of short hairs called the beard running down the center of their lower, drooping petals. They require excellent drainage and sun baking the exposed rhizome to bloom properly.
Heard on the job
Check those bearded irises for borer damage before you divide the rhizomes.
Insider tip
Plant the rhizomes shallowly; if you bury them completely like normal bulbs, they will rot instead of flowering.