Taking its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, Irises could not be more appropriately named.

They come in all dazzling shades of the spectrum and in varieties that will flourish in all manner of conditions.

Tall bearded and border Irises love a sunny spot, although Siberian iris cultivars will tolerate some dappled shade.

Both types of Iris thrive in any well-drained soil, but the Siberian sort will tolerate damper conditions.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Yellow Flag Iris are somewhat different. You will find them in the wet margins of streams and country and garden ponds. They like it wet, very wet, and can be considered invasive, so site them with care...

Top Isle of Wight gardening tips

  • You might be a tad late, but you have not missed the planting boat for runner and dwarf beans, sunflowers and biennials.
  • Biennials produce leaves in their first year and flowers in their second.
  • Foxgloves, wallflowers, pansies and hollyhocks are the most popular biennials. You will need to give the young plants some protection over winter in a cold frame or greenhouse.
  • Try mixing-in some perennial planting with bedding plants in containers but remember that compost in containers is quickly exhausted so regular feeding and top dressing each spring will be necessary.
  • It might be an expensive alternative, but if you have left it late for planting veg you can find a good variety of plants in garden centres this month. Peppers, runner beans, carrots, courgettes, beetroot and brassicas are all popular crops that are available as small plants in trays or modules.

Yellow Flag Irises thrive in deep, acid, humus-rich soil, in full sun or partial shade and are propagated by division, from midsummer to early autumn.

Isle of Wight County Press: Yellow flag irises love water, but can be invasive.Yellow flag irises love water, but can be invasive. (Image: Richard Wright.)

All types are fading right now but if you have seen some that inspire it will soon be planting time. Between August and October is considered ideal.

For border and tall bearded Irises, bought as rhizomes, dig a hole large enough for the rhizome and roots.

If you mound the soil slightly in the centre the soil can be worked back between the roots so they are covered.

Plant them with the top half of the rhizome exposed so they get baked in summer sun. They need it to encourage flowering.

Plant in groups, with 1ft between larger varieties and 6in between dwarfs.

Plant in well-drained soil in a sunny position.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Bulb Iris are the miniatures of their kind and should, like all bulbs, be planted while dormant.

You will often see stunning potted Iris reticulata types for sale in garden centres when they are flowering in spring – much more expensive, but instantly gratifying.

After they have finished and died back they can be popped into a larger container for future years or in the garden in groups.

Unlike their larger cousins, planting them up to 6in deep can help encourage the bulbs to re-flower more reliably the following year and in the dappled shade of a tree they are a spectacular herald of spring.