Do bearded iris ALWAYS do well in raised beds?

I know they are supposed to but mine got grown over by other vegetation and were sun starved for months. They lost many of their leaves and some of the rhizomes are mushy. The soil has a lot of rotted compost in it but I figure that being raised that the drainage would compensate for that. Some that had sun seem to be doing very well. I want to line them up in the back boarder for next year. Is this a good idea if I allow only low growing plants for next spring? Will adding sand help? I want them in this location so I can see them every day while they are in bloom. But I also don't want to waste the 50 dollars I just spent on iris ethier. Here is one of the beauties http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...

Do bearded iris ALWAYS do well in raised beds?
Irises are normally pretty hardy. They have a couple of requirements, however: well drained soil and sunlight. One would assume that a raised bed would help with the drainage, but if the soil is too damp, the rhizomes may rot. Adding sand, perlite or vermiculite will help with the drainage. Irises do require some sun, the rule of thumb is half a day minimum sun exposure.


More information on growing irises can be found on the American Iris Society website


http://www.irises.org/growing.htm





Good luck
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Reply:Since drainage is a must for your raised bed plan is a good one. but i worry about your comment about rhizomes being mushy? that does not sound good. Don't put sand in your beautiful soil. The raised bed should be good enough.