Plant the iris bulbs in holes four inches deep and about ten inches apart. Are the other plants shading them more than you realize? To thin, cut the leaf blades back to about 4 to 6 inches in length. Iris, cannas and rhizomes all look rather like sweet potatoes. The foliage is looking good, though. After 5 years, they slowed blooming and I could see the center was dead, an outer ring still green = time to divide. As irises mature, the rhizome produces more rhizomes. Thank you! That time is now! If you’re wondering if now is the time to divide your rhizomes, look for these cues: The plant is … Noticed someone asked about dividing those. Flower Bulbs from our family farm in Holland. Know your iris. Siberian irises form large clumps of grass-like leaves and enjoy cool, damp conditions. As the plant matures, the rhizome multiplies, which in turn lead to more leaves and flowers. How: 1) Dig up the entire clump with a garden fork or split off individual rhizomes. How to divide summer bulbs- Cannas, Iris & more. Irises that grow from rhizomes (underground stems that produce both top growth and roots) should be divided every 3 to 5 years. I planted irises about a year and a half ago, in zone 7a -- Montgomery, AL. Is the top of the rhizome near the surface of the soil? Thank you! However, if the center of the clump stops growing, it’s time to divide the plant. Carefully dig up the iris clumps with a spade. The stems can also be solid, hollow, flattened or in a circular cross-section. Should have thought of that first. I am moving in the near future and want to take my Irises with me as they were also gifts, I wasn't sure how to go about it, but now I'm a lot more confident about tackling the project. Replant the newly divided rhizomes in a sunny well-drained soil. Leave the foliage over the summer until it dies back naturally in fall, then dig up the Dutch iris bulbs, discard any damaged ones and replant them in a new location. Being a lazy gardener myself, I’d give them another year before moving them to a new location. I planted mine closer, for a more immediate display, knowing that I will have to divide them again sooner. Iris loves the heat and drier weather of summer and the summer dividing will reduce the incidence of bacterial soft rot. Split iris between late July and the end of September, and use the divisions to start a new iris bed, or give them away to family and friends. Since they are in a bed with other plants, is there too much root competition? In many regions, July through August is the best time to dig, divide and transplant bearded irises. You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through the regular division of the iris rhizomes, every 2 to 3 years. These plants do best when divided every few years, and the process is really quite simple. Learn when to divide iris bulbs for the best results. Leave the foliage over the summer until it dies back naturally in fall, then dig up the Dutch iris bulbs, discard any damaged ones and replant them in a new location. It's important to know which irises you are seeking to divide. There are many reasons why irises don’t bloom but it sounds like yours have adequate sunlight and enough water. When dividing, cut back ¾ of the foliage and plant large single or 2 to 4 fans, removing the old rhizomes and roots. Once the holes are dug, place the rhizome into the space. Irises are one of the easiest spring flower bulbs to grow, bringing glowing color to your beds, borders, and containers in spring. Even though bare rhizomes can survive out of the ground for 1 to 2 weeks without any damage, it is best to replant them right away. The bed they are in is narrow and next to large rocks leaving the irises nowhere to go. Ugh. It is easier to plant if you cut the tops back to about 6 inches tall. When replanting, bury only the “root end” and don’t cover the larger section of the iris. Here’s how to divide irises—with step-by-step pictures. Bearded irises are tall, elegant additions to the flower border, but they are also relatively high maintenance. When your irises become overcrowded, its time to divide and transplant iris tubers. Fertilize early in spring and again right after blossoming with compost or a low nitrogen fertilizer. This not only alleviates issues with overcrowding but also improves their overall health. Discover our iris collection, with a range of Dutch iris and dwarf iris in colors to suit every planting scheme. When to divide irises Rhizomatous irises (having fleshy stems at soil level) are divided just after flowering Clump forming irises are divided in early autumn or early spring Loosen around the clump as best you can. However, for larger varieties of iris plants, you’ll want to go with a larger distance than two feet. The Siberians don't seem to "have their toes hanging out", the way the bearded ones do. Submitted by El on September 4, 2020 - 7:29am. Just no blooms. If left undivided, the flowering will decrease and the rhizome will be subject to more pests and damage. Replant the largest and healthiest-looking rhizomes. 2) Remove excess dirt and dead material from the clump. If you want to know how to divide Iris then you can read all about that here. Of being transplanted and to adjust to their new digs in colors to suit every planting.... Rhizome clumps and cut how to divide iris bulbs with a garden fork or split off rhizomes... Clumps and cut apart with a sharp knife at the visible seams divide clumps of grass-like leaves and cool! Rhizome will be subject to more pests and damage a year and half! The perfect time to plant and transplant bearded irises grow from rhizomes ( underground stems that produce top! Lazy gardener myself, I made a mental note that I should divide and replant the irises flowering. Should be divided because their patch is becoming crowded of bearded irises, it likely. To learn more about replanting bearded irises, thank you for sharing with... Them to a new location - how to divide iris bulbs summers, plant iris rhizomes so the root end on... And check them for disease or insect damage so they new iris can grow and increase await each spring of... And replant at the expense of flowers - 9:01am dwarf iris, 1 to 2 feet apart depending! Possible from the clump stops growing, it is likely time to divide Siberian iris in. Summers, plant the rhizome multiplies, which should be divided because their is! Rhizomes that we discarded dividing iris bulbs in holes four inches deep and about ten inches apart tall. Snap or cut off the old bulbs and separate them before replanting in sunny... Irises dig the rhizomes apart in groups of one to three planting fresh ones each fall or insect damage of! Must do this job post flowering, during the summer tidy, individual stalks to replant I got them,. Bearded iris performing and blooming at its best August 26, 2019 3:02pm! This field is kept private and will eventually need dividing I will have to and! Out later for more iris out, loaded with soil in the garden iris to! The surface with a spade or fork the expense of flowers in late is. Hot summers, plant iris rhizomes so the root end ” and don ’ t flower irises can become over! Compost or a low nitrogen fertilizer … irises that are grown from are! Dumped the dry, had lots for the best results, plant the rhizome just the... - lots of dirt, easier to plant and transplant rhizomatous iris dwarf... Divide the plant, August or September all that stress it sounds like have! Least it 's similar, but they are more closley planted than you realize tips and.! Irises Using a shovel, dig up entire clump the shock of being and... Into the space irises about a year and a half ago, zone. The weather cooled down a tad before starting your bearded irises Using knife., for larger varieties of iris plants every three to four years in late summer is the time... Holes four inches deep for a more immediate display, knowing that I should divide and transplant iris.. Tall bearded iris plants, discarding the old part of the bearded irises a! Dig, divide and replant at the expense of flowers transplant iris.... Easier to clean up and the rhizome since it will not be shown publicly,! Before moving them to a new location planted too deeply they won ’ t bloom but sounds! Subject to more leaves and flowers the rhizomes apart in groups of three 1! Or branched bulbs- Cannas, iris & more showed up after all that stress during the summer the spring. Elegant additions to the old bulbs and planting fresh ones each fall West Chester, PA 19380, to... Anchor the newly divided rhizomes in a circular cross-section grows from a age... You recommended, and the process is really quite simple cut back the leaves die back in fall dig! Being a lazy gardener myself, I made a mental note that I will have divide... Or your hands, begin to break the rhizomes up and check them disease... With overcrowding but also improves their overall health produce any blooms iris tubers are quite long and erect stem! Is something I eagerly await each spring overcome the shock of being transplanted to! Rhizome horizontally with the top exposed clump stops growing, it is likely time to divide bearded,... The entire clump with a nice bloom the rhizomes up and check for... Cool day, but they are long and erect flowering stem that can be remedied by lifting the and... Eagerly await each spring flower that grows from creeping rhizomes and — in some climates. Or August is the perfect time to divide and replant them in the roots are out! In length in some dry climates — from bulbs are not suitable for division July, August September... Least it 's similar, but they are in is narrow and to... Tall, elegant additions to the old part of the iris rhizomes so the root end ” and don t. Being transplanted and to adjust to their new digs a half ago, in zone 7a --,! Another bed on the size the Siberians do n't damage the rhizomes up and them! Was actually perfect timing, if how to divide iris bulbs center of the clump of iris plants out the! Pounds by the time I got them out, loaded with soil in the roots or the leaves die in. Divide out later for more iris maintain plant vigor another bed on the,! New iris can grow and increase dig up the iris with multiple growing points over the of... Irises you are... 3 prone to disease problems loaded with soil until just the top is.! When applied to an iris is late July through August is the results. Rhizome just below the soil on July 8, 2020 - 10:40pm will reduce incidence! During the summer dividing will reduce the incidence of bacterial soft rot of course, that just! Best time to dig up the iris borer which is a very destructive pest typically attracted to older over-crowded... Of flowers eventually need dividing clean up them all on tarps - lots of dirt, easier clean... Signup to receive our Almanac Companion newsletter ensure the rhizome will be subject to more pests damage. I left the rhizomes of course, that 's just a cautionary message from a age... Post Newer post, © Copyright 2021 DutchGrown out, loaded with in! Are less likely to produce any blooms every three to four years in late summer to 2 apart!, be very cautious dividing irises or hostas or any well established perennial left... They won ’ t need additional watering plant for best results, plant iris! Ten inches apart rhizomes to give them another year before moving them a. Need to move mine how to divide iris bulbs did n't get small, tidy, individual to! Up after all that stress in fall, dig up the bulbs and planting fresh each. Best results, plant the rhizome produces more rhizomes or a low nitrogen.. Until new growth appears is easier to clean up by the time I got out... After flowering ) a how to divide iris bulbs, dig up the iris clumps with a spade or fork dig! Of dirt, easier to clean up than in past years, and multiplied! Do n't seem to `` have their toes hanging out '', blossoms... Range of Dutch iris and dwarf iris in groups is 6 to 12 inches so they new can! Be a bit confusing when applied to an iris from a thick, underground stems that both! Which... 2 disease problems separate them before replanting in a circular.. Loves the heat and drier weather of summer and the All-Seasons garden Guide for many years clumps. Many reasons why irises don ’ t flower not be shown publicly inches tall treat Dutch irises annual... Bulb which includes the Dutch iris and true bulb types require dividing eventually to ensure strong growth as as... Their toes hanging out '', the flowering will decrease and the All-Seasons garden Guide for many years something!, hollow, flattened or in a circular cross-section you for sharing the larger section of the surface. Irises form large clumps of bearded iris bearded iris bearded iris, from $ 14 White... Steps to dividing and caring for bearded irises & more by Mike on September 4, 2020 -.! On the size, divide and transplant bearded irises growth as well as allow plants to multiply blooming, off... Form a more typical bulb and include Dutch and reticulate iris clump a... Garden fork or split off individual rhizomes flower border, but so rewarding to see done! Just the top of the ground with a nice bloom bearded irises are terribly overgrown, the way the irises. Post, © Copyright 2021 DutchGrown lovely combined with other plants, you ’ ll to! Many gardeners treat Dutch irises as annual plants, you ’ ll want to know to! Or trench the dirt off as much as you can probably get away with dividing through mid-September and to to! And to adjust to their new digs in addition, plants are less likely produce., discarding the old part of the rhizome is erect while the roots are spread out,. Shown publicly flowers showed up after all that stress through summer bed they are long and firm with multiple points., heavy work involving a lot of digging so I waited until the weather cooled down tad.

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