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The Art of Gardening at Sissinghurst
How to stake irises
with TROY SCOTT SMITH — Head Gardener at Sissinghurst. Garden Writer, Speaker & Lecturer.
Lesson 32 of 56
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One simple task done ahead of time in April helps to ensure these seasonal stars look their best. Troy shows you his trick for staking that doesn’t detract from the flowers.
From the Lesson Workbook
How to Stake Irises
Bearded irises are stars of the May garden, but the flowers are so large that the stem can snap in wind and rain. In mid-April, stake tall varieties with a single stick to support the flower stem.
- Push the stick in behind the flowering stem, a few inches into the ground.
- Use a paper-covered wire twist tie to secure the stem to the stick. You can position it behind a leaf to make it less obvious.
- Irises emerge at different times, so check every week or so for any tall enough to stake.
One simple task done ahead of time in April helps to ensure these seasonal stars look their best and avoid any mishaps in the spring showers. It's worth doing in a thoughtful way so as not to detract from the flowers.
Plant Directory
Aconitum species and cultivars
Aconites, monk's hoods
Hardy herbaceous perennials or biennials
Ranunculaceae
Iris germanica species and cultivars
Bearded irises
Hardy herbaceous perennials from rhizomes
Iridaceae
Iris 'Shannopin'
Tall bearded iris 'Shannopin'
Hardy herbaceous perennials from rhizomes
Iridaceae
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Absolutely love Create Academy! The instructors are extremely informative, and it is beautifully filmed. Create Academy is great value for money and plan on renewing my subscription yearly because there are ...
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Magic in small spaces
Butter's creativity is stunning! Her ability to incorporate brilliance in small gardens is magical!
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May 30, 2026
Your Instructor
Troy Scott Smith
Head Gardener at Sissinghurst. Garden Writer, Speaker & Lecturer.
Troy Scott-Smith, previously head gardener of Iford Manor and Bodnant garden, now oversees the cherished grounds of Sissinghurst - one of the most famous gardens in England and is designated Grade I on Historic England's register of historic parks and gardens. Coming from a family of committed naturalists, Troy is a seasoned horticulturist, writer, designer and consultant, Troy is also a respected member of the RHS Floral Committee. When he set his sights on the head gardener role, he did so with refreshing candour, speaking passionately of the garden’s need for thoughtful evolution. It is a mark of the National Trust’s forward-thinking spirit that they embraced his vision, inviting him to guide this historic landscape into a compelling new chapter.
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