Spring is a critical time for irises, and in May, you'll need to think about feeding them with a balanced fertilizer, watering them deeply (but infrequently) at the roots, and removing spent flowers.
Irises are a reliable addition to any garden, no matter whether you grow them in beds or containers. They provide a glorious pop of color when their flowers appear in spring, and bearded irises – the most popular garden variety – are impressively drought-tolerant once established.