While some rhizomatous plants, like bamboo , spread rapidly and even invasively, the iris spreads fairly gradually—one of its main virtues for gardeners. But, as iris rhizomes spread, they become crowded. This stresses the plants and can even cause them to stop blooming and become susceptible to pests, such as iris borers.
By dividing and transplanting your irises, you will rejuvenate the plants and be rewarded with a greater number of healthy blooms in the spring. Not all types of iris are rhizomatous plants. The roots on the Siberian iris are quite different—fibrous masses that are much tougher and more difficult to lift and divide.
Division of Siberian iris is a matter of forcefully cutting the fibrous masses into sections. The process is similar for Japanese iris. Other types of iris, such as the Dutch iris, grow from bulbs; division is a matter of separating out new bulbs produced by the clump. The process described here is particular to the bearded iris and similar types, such the crested iris. Iris roots can become woody and overgrown unless the clumps are lifted, divided, and replanted every three to four years.
Overgrown clumps tend to get barren in the center, with foliage and flower stems that appear only around the outside of the clump. You can also lift and divide more often than this, such as when you want to share irises with others or when there are clear signs that iris borers have damaged your plants.
Symptoms of borers include soft, mushy clumps or foliage that becomes yellow and soft while the flowers are still blooming. Left unattended, the rot that begins when borer worms drill into the rhizomes will gradually spread to consume the entire clump. Of course, irises are sometimes transplanted simply to move them to a new location. If so, it's best to follow the same procedure: Lift and transplant after the plant has finished blooming and the leaves are beginning to dry out.
Trying to transplant an entire clump in spring while preserving the season's bloom rarely works. Using a garden shovel, dig up the entire clump of iris. The easiest way to do this is to make deep cuts all around the clump; then use the shovel to pry the entire clump out of the ground. Shake off loose dirt, and divide the large clump into sections by tugging it apart with your hands.
The old center section, which is usually quite woody without any remaining roots, can be discarded. If you wish, you can divide the clumps into sections with a knife or sharp pruners. Even quite small sections will transplant successfully, provided they have at least some foliage and a few roots dangling from the fleshy rhizome section.
It is possible to propagate dozens of individual plants from a single clump of iris. More often, though, gardeners divide into sections 4 to 8 inches long, each with four to six leaves. Use a sharp pruner to trim down the leaves on each division to a length of 4 to 6 inches. The standard method is to trim the leaves on each new section in a fan-like shape, like an inverted V.
Do you plant bulbs in your yard? Anyone else remove all landscaping? Bad idea? As long as you're past your last frost date, it won't hurt the plants to dig them now.
As Mike mentioned, though, it will most likely cause this year's bloom to abort. Here is a link that might be useful: Propagating Perennials. One year I moved one of my rows of iris. I did it early before growth was very tall and took as much dirt as possible, a few of them I divided. Not one of them bloomed that year. I will never do that again! I have divided iris in the spring for a long time and they have never failed to bloom the next year.
I better wait till after they are done blooming, plus I don't want to give them the wrong colored ones! I divided my bearded Iris rhizomes today mid Apr They have just started growing their fans. So they are still small. By dividing and replanting my rhizomes with their baby fans Or will it not bloom with flowers this year You didn't kill it, but it is VERY unlikely to bloom till next year. I divide any time after they finish blooming. I took tiny starts of a bunch of iris at bloom season last year.
Because of the extra time in the ground the starts have put on many fans and some are mini-clumps this spring. I'm quite sure I'll have lots of bloom from them this season. Indem Sie weiterhin auf der Website surfen bzw. Mehr erfahren. Ultimate Lighting Sale. Bathroom Vanity Sale. Bestselling Chandeliers and Pendants. Sign In. Join as a Pro. Houzz TV. Houzz Research. Shop Featured Holiday Categories. Home Decor. Holiday Decor. Christmas Trees. Holiday Lighting.
Gift Cards. Is it a cardinal sin to divide bearded iris in spring? Just curious, I had promised some to people Email Save Comment Featured Answer. She's one of those fly by nighters who just wants to plant in the spring. Like 2 Save. Sort by: Oldest. Newest Oldest. Unless I was moving and had to dig, I wouldn't touch them! Just my. Like 1 Save. Like Save. Related Discussions Need help with my yard - Zone 8; clay based soil Q.
I have alot of clay and rock in my soil. Materials Overgrown Iris patch. Tools Garden knife Shovel. Find the rhizome you wish to divide off from the rest, follow it to the point where it connects with the other rhizomes. You may need to clear away soil to have a clear view. Slice as close to the mother rhizome as you can. Remember when replanting that Iris likes to be planted shallowly and have good drainage.
In my area, they prefer some of the back of the rhizome showing to capture the warmth of the sun but in hotter areas, they may scald. Adjust to your local conditions. Enjoy the blooms They may or may not bloom for you this season but if planted correctly they will be sure to bloom next. The ones left undisturbed will still bloom as if nothing has happened. Notes Building a little mound of soil to plant your Iris on is a good idea if you plant them among other annuals or perennials that like more water.
Pillar a Rose to save garden space! Click here to cancel reply. Harry Flint Friday 2nd of April Angela Friday 26th of March Excited to dig up and replant my iris'. Thank you! Kim Kuebler Thursday 18th of March Nicole Wednesday 10th of June Pamela Wednesday 10th of June Erin Saturday 16th of May If I divide in spring, they will not bloom until following year, correct?
Pamela Saturday 16th of May This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Accept Read More.
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