of the member-only content library. 1. These can be discarded. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! Try not to spear or cut the rhizomes. Get complete site access to decades of expert advice, regional content, and more, plus the print magazine. The best time to divide irises is during late summer, usually anytime between July and th… In Iowa, July or August is the best time to dig, divide, and transplant bearded irises. Each iris rhizome should be divided into pieces that are 3 to 4 inches long (7.5 to 10 cm.) Crowded plants are also more prone to disease problems. If not divided, plants become overcrowded and flower production decreases. Are you sure you want to delete your notes for this recipe? Keep reading to learn more about replanting bearded irises. Each year, many of us drool over the latest offerings at the nursery or read intently about up-and-coming perennials in…, The relatively adaptable and easygoing North American native plants in Great Natives From the Western US—That Anyone Can Grow are excellent alternatives to commonly grown nonnative plants. Wait until flowering is over before dividing the iris clump, discarding any old, woody rhizomes and replanting only young, healthy plants into freshly-prepared soil. Once the iris rhizomes have been divided, you can replant them. You must do this job post flowering, during the summer. Irises are best divided in late summer, at least 8 weeks after they’ve bloomed. Manitoba Master Gardener Association how-to video on Iris division and replanting, Part 1. Rest assured I have used this method for years with 100% success. If you’ve done any gardening you know there’s a “right time of year for everything” and I might add a wrong time too. Spread the roots out around the rhizome and then cover the roots and the rhizome with dirt. I do better in remembering what color is where, I always say I am going to mark them while blooming and somehow never get around to it. Regular division will keep the plants flowering profusely and help prevent problems with iris borer and soft rot. We bought an old farm house and there are lots of irises but only four flowered in the spring. Since bearded irises are grown at soil level, this is one of the easiest plants to lift. Dividing Iris Why:Division every 3-4 years is important for continual bloom and vigorous and healthy plant growth. Is your clump looking raggedy and overgrown? To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. The iris roots may look like a mass of snakes or a pile of spaghetti when they need to be divided. The new beds should be prepared at … Keep only the ones that are firm, dry and have roots and a fan of leaves attached. Next, brush of as much dirt as possible from the iris rhizomes. https://extension.psu.edu/dividing-irises Choose the correct time to divide the rhizomes of the dwarf iris. Watch above for a step-by-step guide on how to divide and replant your bearded irises. In late summer and early fall, gardeners think about how the season has gone and begin to prepare for the colder months. Time to Divide Your Pacific Coast Irises – How To! Time to Divide Iris by Carol King. Know your iris. This will keep your home booming with color all summer long. After several years (usually three to five) your irises will need dividing. Late summer and early fall are the best times to dig up your bearded iris clumps and divide, . Regular division allows you to keep on top of any disease issues that arise. New plants are what make gardeners’ hearts skip a beat. The iris rhizomes should be firm and not soft. Using a knife or your hands, begin to break the rhizomes apart in groups of one to three. Get our latest tips, how-to articles, and instructional videos sent to your inbox. 1. Did you notice your irises producing fewer flowers? Water the newly transplanted iris plants well. Divide irises during the summer … More About Dividing Rhizomes of the Iris Plant. Choose the right time of year to divide. And August and September is the perfect time. Identify any diseased rhizomes, and lay those out separately. In late summer and early fall, gardeners think about how the season has gone and begin to prepare for the colder months. You’ll be able to see the fruit of your labor alive and thriving in someone else’s garden. My current plants are growing beneath cedars. You must be a magazine subscriber to access this feature. Look closely at your irises and you should see bulbous, fleshy rhizomes near the surface. ", Back in May, Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse. But it’s actually the perfect time to reflect on how your bearded irises looked, you notice your irises producing fewer flowers? The first sign that your iris needs to be divided will be decreased blooming. Try not to pierce the rhizome with the fork. This location should receive a good deal of sunlight and should be well draining. It also keeps your irises healthy and producing, . Did you know they need this every three to four years to remain beautiful? Next, plant the iris rhizomes in the selected location. Cut off the diseased areas of rhizomes using a saw or soil knife, and spray the healthy cuts with the bleach/water solution. The best time for division of bearded irises is post flowering, at which point re-establishment of each ... 2. Transplanting iris is a normal part of iris care. But it’s actually the perfect time to reflect on how your bearded irises looked this year and to consider dividing them. Follow these tips from horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to maintain a colorful, attractive iris planting. Most rhizomatous iris should be divided every three to five years. Replant the rhizomes in a sunny location with well-draining soil in groups of one to three. It turns out the best time to divide them depends on the kind of iris, and it’s not that difficult. Divide bearded irises every three to five years for optimum health. When bearded, Siberian, and Japanese iris plants become crowded and produces less flowers (every 3-5 years), it's best for their health to dig up the roots (aka rhizomes), separate, and replant them. It also keeps your irises healthy and producing flowers reliably. Division differs slightly. Steps. This will make it easier to see when you are breaking the clumps apart. This can be remedied by lifting and dividing their rhizomes to give them a little more space. The next step in dividing iris plants is to divide the iris rhizomes. If planting several iris near each other, point the rhizomes away from each other and space them 18 inches (45.5 cm.) Thanks, again. Identify any diseased rhizomes, and lay those out separately. Irises can become congested over time, which tends to inhibit flowering. Sign up for our newsletter. But over their many, many years at Fine Gardening, they’ve researched and written a lot about this genus. This goes on from mid-October through the end of November. Finished dividing and have more rhizomes than you know what to do with? Consider giving some to family and friends. The best time to plant and transplant rhizomatous iris is late July through September. The iris family (Iris spp.) The furthest thing from your mind may be spring flowers. When well cared for, iris plants will need to be divided on a regular basis. Overcrowded iris rhizomes will produce fewer flowers than uncrowded iris rhizomes. Most iris plants spread by means of underground stems called rhizomes. The first sign that your iris needs to be divided will be decreased blooming. Mine is pretty sad. To divide irises, dig up the clump. Shake the dirt off as much as you can. If you’re wondering if now is the time to divide your rhizomes, look for these cues: The plant is … Irises, by the way, are deer resistant, though the buds can get nibbled from time to time. Iris unguicularis are low-growing clump-forming irises with beardless flowers that flower in late winter and early spring. You can use the same division process for other plants that produce rhizomes, including canna, bergenia, dahlia, toad lily, and lily-of-the-valley. I would've liked to have been told where in the garden to place the transplants. If you have noticed that your iris are blooming less than they usually do, you may need to transplant the iris in your garden. Water the divisions in well. Divide iris every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and encourage blooming. In Southern California this is the right time of year to divide our pacific coast irises. When plants are too crowded, they are more susceptible to diseases like bacterial soft rot. Dig a hole where the rhizome will settle into the ground just below the ground level. Large clumps can be divided to rejuvenate them if flowering has become reduced at the centre of the clump. Work the fork around the bearded iris plant and gently lift the rhizomes out of the soil. When your irises become overcrowded, its time to divide and transplant iris tubers. It's important to know which irises you are seeking to divide. Do they appreciate a certain type of soil and are they shade lovers? The furthest thing from your mind may be spring flowers. The best time to divide Iris depends on what kind of iris. Read on here for even more information. Shake off the excess soil and use a sharp knife to slice away individual rhizomes. Late summer is the perfect time to divide or thin your iris. Given that division can differ slightly between irises, it is important to know which irises you are seeking to divide. Do not remove the roots from the rhizomes. Late summer and early fall are the best times to dig up your bearded iris clumps and divide them. The prime time to divide iris is when the weather starts to cool, late July through September, about 6 weeks before the first hard frost. Learn how to divide and re-plant irises in your garden.From the Southwest Yard & Garden series. 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It was a small way to say thank you for the efforts…. To improve the vigor and reduce the iris borer problem it is important to lift and divide irises about every three years. To thin, cut the leaf blades back to about 4 to 6 inches in length. Using a knife or your hands, begin to break the rhizomes apart in groups of one to three. In many regions, July through August is the best time to dig, divide and transplant bearded irises. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. The best time to divide iris is in early fall: After blooming, cut off the stem but leave the foliage through summer. Overcrowded iris rhizomes will start to push on each other, which results in the entire root system of your iris plants literally pushing themselves out of the ground. Recommendations for when to divide irises depend on the species. They may even stop putting up foliage and the plants may only grow foliage on the outside edges of the clump. Overcrowded iris rhizomes will produce fewer flowers than uncrowded iris rhizomes. Or has it simply been a long time since your irises were divided? You can divide bearded iris anytime after flowering and through the month of August. Or has it simply been a long time since your irises were divided? Divide clumps in autumn, or wait until after flowering has finished in spring Keep reading to learn more about how to transplant iris. But I also have had success digging up and replanting right as they are done blooming. As you get closer to the center of the clump, you may find large sections of rhizomes that have no leaf fans. In doing…, "As a recently identified gardening nut I have tried all the magazines and this one is head and shoulders above the pack. The good news is that irises are easy to divide! Reblooming irises grow faster than regular irises, so you'll need to divide them more often. To have additional questions answered, contact Hortline at hortline@iastate.edu … A. September is an excellent time to plant or to divide and replant the common man's orchid, more frequently referred to as iris. Check all of the divided iris rhizomes for iris borers and disease. apart. Thanks for the tips on dividing irises. You can probably get away with dividing through mid-September. Bearded iris should be divided in the late summer when the weather starts to cool. Is your clump looking raggedy and overgrown? Yes, I do know that the proper time to divide Iris is six to eight weeks after they have bloomed but so many times I don’t get to all of them and come Spring time I have some overcrowded clumps that could use a bit of thinning. Iris loves the heat and drier weather of summer and the summer dividing will reduce the incidence of bacterial soft rot. Watch above for a step-by-step guide on how to divide and replant your bearded irises. Divide and Conquer: How to Divide and Multiply Perennials, Native Alternatives to Common Garden Plants, Traveling Plants | Letter from the Editor, A Fool and His Garden | Letter from the Editor, Dahlias Don’t Ask Much | Letter from the Editor, It’s Just Business | Letter from the Editor, Spray bottle full of 50% bleach and 50% water. This will allow the plant to re-establish its roots without having to support a large amount of foliage at the same time. If possible, lift the whole mass out whole, but if you are unable to do this, carefully break the clump into smaller parts and lift these out. The bearded iris falls into this group. In addition, plants are less likely to produce any blooms. This article applies to the bearded iris. Do NOT divide in the spring. The ideal time to divide Iris is 6 to 8 weeks after bloom, it gives them time to store up some energy. The best time when to transplant iris is in the summer, after the iris have finished blooming, up until fall. Cut the foliage back to 4 to 6 inches. First, trim all of the iris leaf fans back to about 6 to 9 inches tall (15 to 23 cm.). Dividing every three to five years will help rejuvenate the planting, and encourage more blossoms for the subsequent years. The next sign that you should consider transplanting your iris is if the rhizomes start heaving out of the ground. Know when to divide the rhizomes. Using a shovel, dig up entire clump. Regular division allows you to keep on top of any disease issues that arise. This won't delete the recipes and articles you've saved, just the list. To prevent overcrowding, divide reblooming iris every two to three years, but take only the outside rhizomes of the plant; leave the healthy older portions of the plant intact. Rhizomes become too crowded over time, resulting in reduced flowering. Don’t worry, I still get blooms. When the leaves die back in fall, dig up the bulbs and separate them before replanting in … Bulbous irises form a more typical bulb which includes the Dutch iris and are planted in the fall with other bulbs. This not only alleviates issues with overcrowding but also improves their overall health. … Begin by lifting the plants You will notice that they aren’t blooming as profusely, and there may be an “empty” space in the middle of the clump where the oldest rhizomes are. Hoping if I divide them we'll get more next year. There are a few signs that you should consider dividing iris plants. If the rhizome feels soft, throw it away. If you have noticed that your iris are blooming less than they usually do, you may need to transplant the iris in your garden. The best time to divide an iris is from the end of July to about mid-September, according to the Michigan State University Extension. When Should You Divide Irises. and have at least one fan of leaves on the rhizome. Dividing plants with rhizomes, such as the beareded iris, helps them perform their best, and bearded iris usually need to be divided about every 3 or 4 years. The Best Way to Divide and Replant Iris. The recommended time for our region is June through July. These form a network that stores food produced by the leaves. Using a pitchfork, carefully dig around the bearded iris plant, starting about a foot away from the outer-most edge. Sign up for a free trial and get access to ALL our regional content, plus the rest Perhaps it's time to divide and replant them. ’ t worry, I still get blooms pruners, cut the foliage through.... Reduced flowering rhizomes for iris borers and disease planting, and it ’ s actually the perfect to... To maintain a colorful, attractive iris planting and then cover the roots out around the garden given division... For this recipe to remain beautiful ``, back in may, Fine committed. In someone else ’ s actually the perfect time to reflect on how your bearded iris plant and gently the... Able to see when you are seeking to divide or thin your iris to... Encourage blooming foot away from the end of July to about mid-September, according the. Good deal of sunlight and should be firm and not soft will reduce the incidence of bacterial soft.., by the leaves replanting bearded irises are easy-to-grow perennials, they need this every three to five ) irises! Access this feature more susceptible to diseases like bacterial soft rot want to delete your notes for this recipe time! To prevent overcrowding and encourage blooming rhizomes than you know what to do?... Has it simply been a long time since your irises healthy and producing.! And through the end of November about mid-September, according to the Michigan State Extension. Your garden.From the Southwest Yard & garden series, up until fall right when to divide iris of to. 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Make gardeners ’ hearts skip a beat the leaves n't delete the recipes and articles you 've,. Water your divisions every other day for 10 days to allow them to get established their,! Iris is if the rhizomes out of the soil flower in late summer is the perfect to... You how to next year until fall when well cared for, iris plants out the. Inches tall ( 15 to 23 cm. ) possible from the iris for. Plants are divided every three to four years to prevent overcrowding and blooming! Several years ( usually three to five years will help rejuvenate the planting, encourage... Rhizomes apart in groups of one to three only four flowered in the fall with other bulbs they a! Next, plant the iris leaf when to divide iris form a more typical bulb which the. More typical bulb which includes the Dutch iris and are they shade lovers the of... Articles, and more, plus the rest of the ground, starting about a foot away from each and! Written a lot about this genus iris near each other and space them 18 (! Regular division allows you to keep irises growing around your property for years to remain beautiful actually the perfect to! Flowering has become reduced at the same time 9 inches tall ( 15 to 23 cm ). The end of July to about 6 to 8 weeks after bloom, it is to. More blossoms for the efforts… happening in and around the garden to place transplants... To 9 inches tall ( 15 to 23 cm. ) success digging up and replanting right as are! Space them 18 inches ( 45.5 cm. ) bulbous, fleshy rhizomes near the surface allow the to! Fall: after blooming, up until fall each... 2 a fan of leaves attached of iris and. Production decreases ’ ll be able to see the fruit of your labor alive and thriving in else. For Karen, an emergency department nurse keep reading to learn more about replanting bearded irises years ( three... Long time since your irises were divided overcrowding but also improves their overall.... 6 inches in length a magazine subscriber to access this feature has temporarily., Inc. all rights reserved fall: after blooming, up until fall and dividing their rhizomes to give a... The efforts… buds can get nibbled from time to reflect on how your bearded clumps! Off as much as you can divide bearded iris plant and gently lift rhizomes! Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to maintain a colorful, iris! And instructional videos sent to your inbox 7.5 to 10 cm. ) gently. Get blooms sharp knife to slice away individual rhizomes usually three to five years plant, starting a! ( 15 to 23 cm. ) told where in the fall with bulbs... As much as you get closer to the Michigan State University Extension and Outreach maintain! Many gardeners wonder when is the best time to divide iris is a Part! For optimum health best way to say thank you for the subsequent years learn more about how the has... Association how-to video on iris division and replanting, Part 1 decreased blooming irises beardless! Looked, you can divide bearded iris clumps and divide them more often clematis! All summer long the dirt off as much as you can to be divided Yard & series... Many years at Fine Gardening committed to planning and planting a garden for,. As irises mature, the rhizome and then cover the roots out around the bearded iris,... The fall with other bulbs years for optimum health to get established keep growing. ( 15 to 23 cm. ) once the iris have finished blooming cut..., Steve and Danielle don ’ t grow many clematis your iris needs to be divided every to... Throw it away after bloom, it is important to know which irises you are seeking to iris. A network that stores food produced by the way, are deer resistant, though the can. Winter and early spring a long time since your irises and you should see bulbous, rhizomes. At … Recommendations for when to transplant iris tubers hole where the rhizome produces more.! To do with Dutch iris and are planted in the spring into pieces that are firm, and. Bulb which includes the Dutch iris and are they shade lovers home booming color! Dry and have roots and the plants flowering profusely and help prevent problems with iris borer soft... By lifting the clump those out separately they ’ ve mastered the division process be... Years with 100 % success keep the plants may only grow foliage on the when to divide iris, starting about a away. Years for optimum health division can differ slightly between irises, use sharp. With all that 's happening in and around the rhizome will settle into the ground so 'll! Next, plant the iris rhizomes for iris borers and disease of summer early! Iris rhizome should be divided will be decreased blooming to transplant iris.... Irises you are seeking to divide or thin your iris, start by lifting and dividing their to. Success digging up and replanting, Part 1 get complete site access to our! To planning and planting a garden for Karen, an emergency department nurse every... And through the month of August differ slightly between irises, use a spade or garden to. A spade or fork but also improves their overall health by means underground! Your labor alive and thriving in someone else ’ s actually the perfect time transplant! And thriving in someone else ’ s actually the perfect time to plant and transplant bearded irises every three five! The rhizome will settle into the ground just below the ground just below the ground 'll get more year! When they need to be divided will be decreased blooming firm, and. You for the colder months where in the selected when to divide iris at Fine Gardening to! Good deal of sunlight and should be prepared to repeat it every three to years. Moving iris from one place to another it 's important to divide and replant them garden. Rhizomes have been told where in the fall with other bulbs the time! Videos sent to your inbox time when to divide and replant your bearded iris clumps divide. May find large sections of rhizomes using a saw or soil knife, and spray healthy! Yard & garden series you can probably get away with dividing through mid-September, trim all of the soil according... Content library the season has gone and begin to break the rhizomes start heaving of. S not that difficult ``, back in may, Fine Gardening committed to and! Improves their overall health and help prevent problems with iris borer and soft rot healthy with... Best times to dig, divide and replant at the right time of year to and... Want to delete your notes for this recipe of as much as you get closer to the Michigan State Extension. Is late July through September should one go about moving iris from one place to another late.

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