Sacramento Iris Society hosts one-day sale

Bearded irises rank among the best easy-care, water-wise perennials for Sacramento – and the foothills, too. (They can take winter cold and deer don’t like them.)

And now is the time to dig up and divide these beautiful bloomers – which is why it’s also perfect timing for an iris rhizome sale.

On Saturday, July 20, the Sacramento Iris Society will host its annual rhizome sale at Shepard Garden and Arts Center. These are newly dug rhizomes – fresh from the ground, divided, trimmed and ready to replant.

Mid to late summer is perfect for planting bearded iris rhizomes, so this sale’s timing could not be better – even with triple-digit temperatures forecast for this weekend. (Shepard Center is air-conditioned.)

Unlike past years, this will be a one-day sale. Shop early for best selection; sale starts at 9 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. – or until they’re all gone. Admission and parking are free.

In virtually every color and combination, more than 60,000 cultivars of bearded iris (Iris x germanica) have been named. Commonly known as German bearded iris or German flag, the bearded iris actually traces its roots to the Mediterranean, which is why it’s so ideal for our climate.

At this sale, hundreds of varieties will be available in a rainbow of vivid hues. According to the society, each specimen will be labeled with the cultivar name and a description of the flower appearance.

Besides the traditional spring bloomers, find a large selection of “rebloomers” that extend iris season into summer and fall. Get advice on how to plant rhizomes plus year-round iris care.

Why plant irises? Besides the beautiful flowers, bearded irises are both deer- and drought-resistant; they can coexist with wildlife and need little summer irrigation.

Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, in McKinley Park.

Details and directions: www.sgaac.org.