📦 What to Expect When Receiving
Irises from Amethyst Creek Farm
At Amethyst Creek Farm, we take pride in shipping healthy, field-grown bearded irises from our family-operated farm in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. Below is what you can expect when receiving your order, and how to ensure your irises thrive in their new home.
🌿 Farm Practices & Care
While we are not a certified organic farm, we are deeply committed to responsible growing practices. We cherish our land and the plants we grow, and make every effort to use natural or minimally invasive products whenever possible. However, for effective insect and weed control, we do occasionally use commercial solutions to protect our collection of over 2,800 varieties.
All irises are inspected, washed, and cleaned before shipping. Our farm is licensed and inspected by the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, ensuring compliance with plant health and shipping standards.
📬 How Irises Are Packaged
Depending on the season and conditions at the time of shipment:
-
Rhizomes may arrive dry but firm, especially in late summer. This is normal and does not impact viability, these rhizomes will be shipped completely leafless - and will be noted on the website at the time of purchase.
-
Others will be shipped with trimmed foliage and trimmed roots.
-
We package irises either loose but labeled or in labeled recycled paper wrappers.
-
We do not use straw or excelsior, due to severe allergies in our household—this also helps reduce mess and allergens during unpacking.
🪴 What to Do Upon Arrival
-
Open your package immediately.
-
Inspect your rhizomes—they should be firm, healthy, and ready to grow.
-
If dry, soak rhizomes in clean water for 1–3 hours to rehydrate and “wake them up.”
-
Skip soaking if your irises arrive fresh, with green leaves and plump roots.
-
-
Plant as soon as possible, following the recommended guidelines for sun, soil, and spacing.
🌞 Planting Notes for Your Climate (see more below)
-
Irises love full sun, but in hot, arid climates (like Arizona, Texas, or New Mexico), afternoon shade may be beneficial—especially during the first year of establishment.
-
You may find that an iris thrives in one spot and struggles in another. Each variety can be particular—don’t be afraid to relocate them for better results.
-
At our farm, all tall varieties (20”+) are grown in full sun and irrigated weekly, withstanding summer temperatures between 90°F and 115°F.
-
Smaller varieties (MDBs, SDBs, IBs) are grown in pots or raised tanks to prevent loss in the larger field.
🧡 Our Commitment
Every iris we ship is part of a collection we’ve curated with care. From cleaning and inspection to packaging and guidance, we’re here to help you grow a thriving garden filled with beauty, color, and resilience.
If you have any questions about care or planting after receiving your order, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to help!