Instructions
Dig up the Clump. Using a garden shovel, dig up the entire clump of iris. Divide the Clump Into Sections. Shake off loose dirt, and divide the large clump into sections by tugging it apart with your hands. Trim the Leaves. Inspect the Rhizome Sections. Prepare a Planting Hole. Plant the Iris. Caring for New Iris.
When to dig up and split irises?
Mid- to late-summer is a good time to divide bearded irises. You want to make sure that the roots have ample time to grow before winter. You can usually tell that your irises are ready to be divided when a clump looks overgrown, with rhizomes starting to grow into each other and popping up from the soil.
When and how do you replant irises?
Transplanted Iris should be planted a minimum of six weeks before the first hard frost in your area. Old clumps may be thinned by carefully cutting out the old divisions at the centers of the clumps and leaving new growth in the ground.
How long can iris be out of the ground before transplanting?
It will not damage the prepared rhizomes to remain out of the ground for two weeks. Select a planting location with good drainage that receives a minimum of 5 to 6 hours of sun every day or that is in full sun. Iris may be planted in a bed or as clumps between other plants.
Can I transplant iris in spring?
Do not transplant iris in the spring. Wait until the foliage has died back in the summer before attempting to dig up and move your iris bulbs.
Will iris bloom after transplanting?
Plant bearded irises:
Irises may take a season or two to rebloom after transplanting.
How many iris bulbs can you plant together?
Plant singly or in groups of three, 1 to 2 feet apart, depending on the fully grown plant’s size. Soak Siberian iris rhizomes in water overnight before planting, then set them 1 inch deep (2 inches, if the soil is sandy), 2 feet apart.
Do you have to dig up iris bulbs every year?
A normal part of caring for iris bulbs is digging them up and putting them in other areas of the garden. Iris plants that are healthy and thriving will need to be divided to keep those blooms popping each season.
Is it too late to divide irises?
Divide at the right time of year, after flowering, when irises become dormant during late summer, reducing the chance of bacterial soft rot. Avoid dividing during winter when irises are trying to survive on stored energy in their rhizomes.
How deep should iris be planted?
But how deep do you plant iris bulbs exactly? Plant the bulbs in holes 4” deep and 2” – 4” apart; for larger groups, dig out a trench, position the bulbs, then replace the soil and water them well.
How do you plant iris bulbs in the ground?
Planting
Dig up soil in your planting area 6-8 inches deep.Add one cup of well-rotted compost to the hole.Plant rhizomes about 18 inches apart, with leaves face-up and roots face-down. Add soil, leaving the top one-third of the rhizome showing.Water thoroughly after planting.
Can I divide iris in the spring?
A: August or September is the best time to divide and transplant irises, but you still can transplant them now. Your irises may not bloom this spring. Start dividing them by removing the entire iris clump. To make the rhizomes easier to handle, reduce the length of the blade foliage by half.
Should I soak iris rhizomes before planting?
It would be wise to soak iris in a diluted solution (1-9 ratios) of bleach and water for several hours or even overnight before replanting the large new healthy rhizomes. If planting in the fall when dormant, one may wish to cut back existing roots to about three inches.
Can you let iris bulbs dry out?
Placing them in the sun allows them to be dried without excessive damage, as is the case with artificial heating. If it isn’t sunny on the days that you’re storing them, then you should place them near a window and continue drying them for about three to four days.
Can I move iris in winter?
October is a little late for transplanting iris but if the weather remains seasonably warm, you should be OK. Ideally, you should transplant them after blooming, from summer into fall. Carefully lift the clump of rhizomes. Brush off the soil to make it easier to see what you are doing.
Do irises like full sun?
Sun or Shade: Iris flower best in full sun, though most can also be grown in dappled shade. Zone: Iris reticulata and Dutch iris are hardy in zones 5-9. Bearded iris, Siberian iris and Japanese iris are winter hardy in zones 3-9.
