Iris Fall Cleanup for Bearded Iris Plants - do this before Winter

[@northidahofinegardening1653]

Hi Devin, I'm new to your channel. I love your videos and your passion for plants! I dont usually comment on vids, but I thought I might offer some knowledge about iris' as I caretake many iris gardens in my area as a professional gardener. Typically yellow leaves with a mushy rotting bottom is due to overwatering and/or too much mulch coving the tops of your Iris tubers. Its a huge issue we battle in the area I live in due to our poor draining clay soils. The rot at the bottom of the yellow leaves is a dead giveaway that your tubers may have too much mulch on them or you need to water them less. In my area we have to plant them raised alittle bit to keep them well drained. Hope this comment helps. Keep up the great gardening!

[@plantvibrations]

Hi! thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience as a professional gardener!

[@JS-jl1yj]

After about 10 years, after watching many tutorials how to do it, I dug out all my irises, because they were way too crowded. I discarded all rhizomes that had already bloomed as per the tutorials. I gave away many good rhizomes to friends and quickly re-planted the rest in the same flowerbed that they came from, where they did extremely well for those 10 years. This was 2 years ago. The replanted rhizomes had healthy leaves but never bloomed again. BTW, I checked with my friends and their re-plants are not blooming either. Is there any chance that they might start blooming this Spring? Or should I just dig them out and plant some other perennial flowers in that bed?

[@kathiebsn]

How do I keep slugs from eating them?

[@reneedevry4361]

I have been growing 100's of Iris varieties for the last 47 years. I would like to share some experience. The yellowing leaves have already been responded to so I will skip that. Plants that are under stress release chemicals into the air. This scent attracts aphids. Unless you have plants that are heavily diseased, you rarely need to worry about aphids sucking the energy out of plants. Aphids are generally harmless unless in out of control numbers. Cutting the iris back is only important if you live somewhere with many freeze thaw cycles over the winter. If you get good snow cover leave leaves or cut back to 6 inches to help collect snow. Iris prefer good airflow and you have plants growing too close to the roots. A better winter option is to allow leaves to collect food for plant right up to hard frost. This produces more flowers. As you likely have planted Iris in the traditional circles for best growth, then pour some play sand over your exposed tubers to protect for the winter. Spring rains will wash some of this away and it helps keep rhizomes dry and toasty for a jump on spring vigor. Clean up before growth when soil is dry enough to be walked on. Do your spring fertilization with your sprinkling of wood ashes/etc. after cleanup around the outside of the ring of growth. Please NEVER say that Cleanliness is close to Godliness. This is why we have so many sterile environments everywhere. Paying attention or Observation is close to Godliness. Too much psycho cleanliness creates so many garden problems. 🥰🌹🦭🇨🇦

[@lllowkee6533]

I was told 40 years ago to NEVER mulch iris, BC the tubers need the sun.

[@leticiacanelas9395]

I admired young guys like who has passion for plants, hope all young adults like you will also use their time wisely and be productive. Good luck to your channel.

[@plantvibrations]

Thank you :)

[@Patrick779]

The German Iris is actually my favorite flower. And I used to live in Pennsylvania and when I did I had a lot of them. But I had to move to Florida 10 years ago and sadly they don't grow down here and I really miss having them!

[@plantvibrations]

Ahhh they are my fave Iris as well

[@barbarawilson834]

Excellent! I have not cared for my irises correctly so this was an important lesson!

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@peggydiorio593]

Iris were my Mom's favorite. I am building an iris garden in memory of her. I stopped quick when I saw the title of this video. I want to know as much as I can about how to care for them. I used to take care of her iris for her. She had me get them ready for winter (Michigan, mid-lower peninsula) exactly as you did yours. Seems like she knew what she was doing.

[@plantvibrations]

Nothing is better than a memory garden ❤️

[@noeldeal8087]

Jehovah's blessings on your garden in your mom's memory! What a beautiful thing to do! 🌱🌾🌿⚘

[@deborahdarling1799]

The greens flop because that is what they do! When they start i cut them back to about 4” above ground. Then they can continue to feed their bulbs and not look unsightly. I learned this from my master gardener husband:)

[@plantvibrations]

Love it!

[@deborahdarling1799]

Hi! Found your channel & it seems you garden like me. A suggestion about the aphids- I have a rose bush that always gets eaten by those critters. I can’t bring myself to use chemicals and have tried nearly everything else to save that silly rose bush. Below and around the rose I have hostas that are just huge. Spiders like to web them so I take the hose on full spray and knock off the webs, flower drops, whatever. So out of desperation I turned that hose onto my rose bush. At first nightly because after the first time the baby leave’s survived the aphids thru the next day! So every other night I sprayed at full blast that rose bush and within a week I had buds! The bush swayed like it was under a firehose to be sure but I think it just plain knocked the aphids off. Neem oil concoctions didn’t achieve that! So I regularly give my plants a regular spray to water, clean up what is in them, and apparently that includes bugs:) Just an idea. Good show!

[@plantvibrations]

I love it! That is a practice endorsed by many great gardeners, and I also use it at times. Thank you for sharing your experience

[@trishferrer8209]

My goodness, that looked so easy, since the bed is raised, instead of ground level. THANK YOU for explaining about the diseased leaves! And for the whole video.

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome! I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@pollykent2100]

Just discovered you. This is a great video. I transplanted a bunch of irises this year. I will now go out and trim them all to the ground. Very helpful!

[@plantvibrations]

Happy to help!

[@kctexan]

Please don't scalp your iris as depicted here. Iris photosynthesize energy from the sun through their leaves into the rhizome. Cutting like this is completely unnecessary.

[@plantvibrations]

@@kctexan by the end of autumn they’ve accumulated more than enough suns energy.

[@juresichj]

​@@kctexanI know a lady who grows prize-winning iris. She told me not to trim, as well.

[@jerrycallison6125]

Thanks for the informative video. I've had Irises for years, but never knew how to care for them in the fall. I'll start trimming right away. Suggestion re: aphids. Applications of Worm Compost Tea periodically through the summer will strengthen the cellular walls providing thicker membranes that aphids, mites, thrips, whiteflies, etc. have trouble piercing. They will then move on to weaker, more sickly plants and leave yours alone. It's something I learned at the Northern Illinois Worm Farm, and I've found it helpful.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for sharing your experience!!

[@kctexan]

Please DO NOT scalp your iris as depicted in this video. It is unnecessary.

[@maryannferencak3799]

Unless your plants are literally covered with aphids, don't do anything. All these "home renedies" and people interfering with nature simply upsets the balance. The plants will likely survive.

[@fattoria_di_bastoni]

Hummers ❤❤❤ Aphids as a quick and easy snack between nectar sources❣️

[@sharryjones5200]

I love the look and esthetic of your iris bed in this video. Just lovely.

[@plantvibrations]

😊

[@MB-hz7wm]

I was also told the leaves start flopping and growing sideways when bulbs need to be manually separated and redistributed. I didn't know it was normal to cut the leaves way down in the Fall. Great video, Dean ~ Thanks!

[@plantvibrations]

There’s a few reasons why the foliage may start flopping; a need to divide is def one of them!

[@elizabethnelms2564]

Thanks so much! I am in TN. My irises are from my mom. She got them from her mom in PA. So special!

[@plantvibrations]

Memory plants are the best plants!

[@carlajetton7560]

You are a great teacher. Thank you!

[@plantvibrations]

You're very welcome!

[@barbarahering484]

So it was overcast here yesterday in Florida so I finished separating and cutting back my iris yesterday. I so hope this promotes blooms this next spring. Thanks for inspiring to get this done. ❤️

[@plantvibrations]

I hope so too!

[@beverlymartin1414]

Since when do Iris thrive in FL?

[@barbarahering484]

@@beverlymartin1414 we can grow bearded ones and I have yellow African ones.

[@cjmead_]

@@beverlymartin1414 Since always. I have had 3 different varieties in south Florida for years now. I have one planter alone that's 22 feet long on the pool patio that grow like mad. It looks crazy beautiful when in bloom. I even have a few growing in water in a big Koi pond. The flowers of those took on a whole new characteristic growing aquatically. The blue iris went from a soft purplish blue and white to a solid deep purple. And the flowers are almost double the size. There's no need to do this "fall pruning" here in Florida though. Our warm winter does not require it. But pruning doesn't hurt. And if you do prune them here, you can just take the top third of the leaf.

[@maryannferencak3799]

​@beverlymartin1414 Well, for me, it's been since about 40 years ago when I started growing iris.

[@leahkramer4587]

Awesome straight to the point video, thank you!

[@plantvibrations]

Happy to help

[@danabrown891]

I finally found a garden channel with someone from my state! This will be a lot more helpful 👍🏽

[@plantvibrations]

Sweeeeet!

[@bindasbudiya1443]

Hi... tomorrow I am going to 0lant my iris..that's why I am here...Thank you so much...😊

[@plantvibrations]

Happy planting

[@caspiana3623]

I don't think the yellow leaves that you yanked out are diseased. It's the normal end stage of the leaf, if left untouched most of them will wilt and dry and then you can remove all of them at once. The clump will look better when trimmed, of course, but that is not necessary.

[@plantvibrations]

thanks for sharing

[@tomnelson3362]

Thank you. I never did know what to do to prepare for winter.

[@plantvibrations]

Happy to help!

[@kathym6603]

It is the end of September 2023. I hope this brings me luck with my irises next spring.

[@plantvibrations]

🙌🙌

[@cindygu2175]

Thank you ! Exactly what I was looking for, and you popped up! I will be checking more of your videos. Thank you again, from here in Texas!

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@Mariah-h6e]

Hi i know this video is an older one for you but was hoping you might answer a question for me please? I Have a bunch of iris and when i went to cut them back i found what looks like babies hiding. they are anywhere from an inch or 2 tall to about 8 inches. should i leave them alone (all look 100% healthy) or cut the taller ones back even though they look perfect? For some reason it just felt wrong cutting the little ones lol even the taller few out of them so i havent yet.

[@Mariah-h6e]

Hi i know this video is an okder obe for you but was hoping you might answer a question for me please? I Have a bunch of iris and when i webt to cut them back i found what looks like babies hiding in the larger ones they are anywhere from an inch or 2 tall to about 8nches should i leave them alone (all look 100% healthy) or cut the taller ones back even though they look perfect? For some reason it just felt wrong cutting the little ones lol even the taller few out of them so i havent yet.

[@mariannelooney6998]

I just came across your channel. Looking forward to seeing more videos of your lovely garden.

[@plantvibrations]

Thanks for joining! I hope you find some more interesting videos

[@doylesouders1228]

When do you divide them and how? Mine are in pots and getting crowded. It is first week of September in Sacramento area. Probably no frost until mid November.

[@plantvibrations]

Now would be a great time to divide them

[@YoMama9021]

Wonderful tutorial! Thank you!

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@TheOtterKnitter]

I was always unclear how much to cut these back if at all in the Fall. Thanks for the quick video!

[@plantvibrations]

You bet!

[@MK-cu9bo]

Great informative comments.

[@plantvibrations]

Yes, this community is full of knowledgable gardeners!

[@claudiacacopardo1296]

HI Devin! LOVED your short concise full of information video! I just hit SUBSCRIBED. I'm in NJ. Going to be winterizing my flowers today. My black irises are my pride and joy! I wasn't aware to look for aphids (thank you). I assumed the leaves lack of enthusiasm was caused by the weather conditions. I still have the flower stalks within the flower clumps. They are dead but are firmly anchored within the soil. I'm afraid to pull them out b/c I don't want to pull out any roots or bulbs. Will cutting them to an inch high be as productive for next season blooms?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes cutting them down is important! You can do it now or in late winter

[@margaretchiodo-keller4495]

Thanks Devin, for the good info. I love your KZbin channel.

[@plantvibrations]

I appreciate that!

[@ibster57]

Thank you I will try to cut them back because this year I had no flower on them.

[@plantvibrations]

Good luck!

[@judyboyle9232]

First time I saw one of your videos, my boyfriend sent it to me (LOL). We now know how to take care of our Irises. Just subscribed. Look forward to some more.🌺🌻

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome! Thank you!

[@edalduna]

Devin thanks for the tip 😊

[@plantvibrations]

🙌

[@JoettaSerio-et5ch]

Thanks for your advice! I'll be doing just that soon! 😺

[@plantvibrations]

Excellent!

[@deborahs6978]

Hi, I like your channel. I also love irises and found your information valuable, but honestly, I have never heard of cutting irises down as low as you are doing. I would be afraid to do so, but would be willing to give it a try. Do you think it helps with fall borers?

[@plantvibrations]

Over the last year I’ve been experimenting with doing the cut back in late winter actually. I’m not totally sure about the fall borers tho

[@sillililli01]

It's All About The Biology. Feed the soil, which in turn feeds the plants. Gardening is a passion.

[@plantvibrations]

👍

[@LindaZimmer-v3x]

Thanks for the help.we live in mo.after cutting back should we cover them with something,as our winter is VERY COLD.Thanks for your help😊

[@plantvibrations]

A inch of mulch should be good

[@kathydvorak3075]

Thanks for this information !

[@plantvibrations]

Happy to help :)

[@judygriffin2432]

Thanks Devin!

[@plantvibrations]

Thank you!

[@ColleenSmith-z3k]

Thanks for telling us WHERE you are gardening.

[@plantvibrations]

I try to in every video!

[@pammeehan8102]

Perfect. Thanks so much from Maryland.

[@plantvibrations]

😊

[@anitalowe8879]

I have what was told French iris. They are beautiful and delicate blooms. But the plant is just getting huge. Would love to spread them out throughout the property. I assume moving the bulbs is best done as they go dormant. Do you have a video showing how and best way to take bulbs and replant? Best time of year too. Thanks.

[@plantvibrations]

The best time to do this is just after they bloom. But assuming you still have another two months before the first frost you could do so now. I’m still waiting on my Iris to get more full before filming how to divide them

[@romiehutson5230]

Hi just discovered your vlogs. I’m in SoCal and just discovered my love for iris. I’ve already collected about a dozen varieties 🙋🏻‍♀️

[@plantvibrations]

theyre such great plants, with lovely fragrance too!

[@anitadavis5430]

I'm new here too. I have lots and lots of Iris in my yard and learned to love them from my childhood. I'm wondering if it's good design practice to kind of keep your iris clumps in a circular or clump shape. Lots of mine are just free ranging all over the place and I've wondered if I just drove a sharp shovel around the edges of a clump about 2 feet wide, they might look better. What do you think?

[@plantvibrations]

I think they do look best when they are all growing in the same direction, as the fans do grow in a specific direction

[@liberta2570]

Good timing. I was just wondering when to trim my irises here in CO.

[@plantvibrations]

Great!

[@loriloretta7639]

great iris info - thank you

[@plantvibrations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rachealsingell3857]

TY. This was very helpful

[@susanhaynes4502]

Great info..

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@arielmcgillacuddy6640]

Great video! Very informative. Thank you

[@plantvibrations]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@christinebrigham4732]

Two years ago I divided my irises and replanted them, looking forward to seeing many more flowers. However I have not had flowers for two summers now. The leaves are tall and healthy. What should I do?

[@plantvibrations]

Are they in enough sun?

[@kathiebumpers1767]

Great information. Thank you.

[@plantvibrations]

Our pleasure!

[@deborahprimeau5533]

Hello, I live in Southern Ontario and have a lovely section of irises in my yard. I want to move it to my front yard. What is the best way to do this to keep it healthy and producing every year?

[@plantvibrations]

If you still have a month before frost I’d dig them up asap and replant them. Otherwise wait till spring

[@margueriteneenan8481]

Great iris info thank you so much

[@plantvibrations]

🙌🙌

[@helenr.2184]

Thanks for the information…this was helpful 😊

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@juliehare3403]

So, do you need to do anything with the tubers? Should you mulch them? Uncover in spring? Dont you need part of the tuber showing above ground?

[@plantvibrations]

It’s best if the tubers are just at ground level, you do not need to mulch them over winter

[@LouiseDoles]

Hi Devin, I have many Irises. I do exactly what you do to put them to bed for winter. Great video.❤😊

[@LouiseDoles]

Forgot to tell you, I live in upstate NY. This year I didn’t get many flowers compared to years past. Do u know why? I’ve had my irises for the past 10 years. Thank u

[@plantvibrations]

Awesome! Thank you! I'm glad we work the same

[@plantvibrations]

do you think they may be getting crowded?

[@beckywebb1916]

What can cause irises to not bloom? Do they need a specific nutrient? I’m sure they’re overcrowded as well.

[@plantvibrations]

Overcrowded and insufficient light!

[@njione]

So handsome. And great content thank u

[@plantvibrations]

Thank you too!

[@MarieWarden-h3s]

Hi Devin, Just saw your video on irises. I live in Central Texas. Should I put fresh mulch after cleaning up my irises for winter, or should I wait until the beginning of Spring to add fresh mulch! Thank you! I really enjoyed your clear, precise presentation. Marie

[@plantvibrations]

Hi Marie, as long as it's just a thin layer of mulch you can do so in the autumn. Thanks!

[@JackieTurner-uo1jr]

I cut mind back before the green turned yellow and not a one bloomed, so I was told to wait til they’re yellow and they bloomed beautiful.

[@plantvibrations]

Love it

[@marksusanleitson6068]

Thanks! This was very helpful. I didn"t know how to take care of irises. Do you talk about other plants and flowers?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes, my channel is dedicated to the subject!

[@lilasaller2799]

Is the advice the same for southern California where it warm all winter

[@plantvibrations]

For you, just remove foliage as it turns Yellow

[@LindaWalker-s7c]

I have many Louisiana iris for 10or more years. over that time I have had vitually no blooms,. What can I do??

[@plantvibrations]

Perhaps they need to be divided. When they get too clustered they can lose bloom potential

[@patriciaeddy7629]

Devin,wondering how deeply are german bearded irises planted into the soil.

[@plantvibrations]

Just at the soil surface, very shallow

[@ValerieMarks-p8y]

Should I leave the last of the fallen leaves nestled amongst my irises? We're about to have our first few nights of very hard freeze with presipitation.

[@plantvibrations]

Yes leave the leaves! they will help protect your iris from the cold

[@barbarabattistella3056]

I live in Buffalo , NY thanks for clear explanation In about 6 min on how to plant Irisis’.

[@plantvibrations]

👍👍

[@josephcarreoniii6434]

I just subscribed to your channel. Your video on Iris fall maintenance is just what I needed for mine. Thanks again.

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it helped!!

[@ursulaprinz1775]

I just came across you , very good information I have a very small garden area with a small pond so I keep all my Irises in pots they flowered but only have 2 flowers I will cut mine back never did so far we live on Vancouver island in Victoria Canada relative mild weather looking foreward to see more information on plant care 6:02

[@plantvibrations]

I have visited Victoria before, you have an incredible plant growing climate!

[@vickilindberg6336]

I always had good luck mulching with oak leaves. (I live in a cold area).

[@plantvibrations]

Yes, i use leaf mold

[@JanePotoczniak]

What do I do to prepare my peonies for the winter.

[@plantvibrations]

You can just leave them be and clean up in late winter by removing old wood

[@joanhargrove3765]

Thanks for great video

[@plantvibrations]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Chainyanker007]

I live in SCal where there is very little frost, maybe 2-3 nights in late Feb. what if anything should I be doing with my iris? In years past I’ve done nothing, I just thin out the rhizomes every 3 yrs or so.

[@plantvibrations]

Yeah that’s what I’d be doing as well if I lived there

[@jeanniedecoster1529]

I have 3 iris plants in my pond for the first time . They grew about 3 ft tall , what should I do with them in the winter? I'm from wisconsin and the pond does freeze. They are in pots. Ok thank you

[@plantvibrations]

They must be a different species of Iris than the German Bearded. I’m not sure which species you’re growing so it really depends

[@janabarnes1791]

Any suggestions about dealing with iris borers?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes, it is a topic that deserves a video. You need to dig up the tubers and cut away any sections with tubers

[@МаргаритаКиселева-ч8ь]

То есть нужна пересадка в другое место и порошок от муравьев. У нас , в России, садовники посыпают золой центр куста в сухую погоду. Это экологично по отношению к почве. Пилильщик уходит от ириса, ему не нравится щелочь в пепле (золе).

[@catbee1452]

The deer had a hay day with my irises this year. Ate every beautiful bloom. And I thought deer didn't like irises! Oh well, hopefully next year they'll leave them alone.

[@plantvibrations]

try using these suggestions kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIrRZKipfcl2gZo

[@luisbautista308]

Learned a lot from you...thank you

[@plantvibrations]

Glad to hear it!

[@ronsmith1427]

Thanks for your precise video on how to care for iris. What is the little blue green companion plant?

[@plantvibrations]

The Dianthus Vivid Bright?

[@eileenworth7862]

Have you got an every three year thin-out the rhizomes video?

[@plantvibrations]

Not yet, these guys are in the their third season

[@jackieriggs6028]

Hey Devin, really liking your videos. I grow all my flowers including my Iris in 50 gallon stock waterers in my front yard. I would like to plant re-blooming iris and wonder if there are any different things you need to do for them. So glad you said I could cut back the foliage by about half in August because my regular bearded Iris' are getting kind of ratty looking. I live in Southwestern Ontario so our planting zones are the same pretty much. Thanks.

[@plantvibrations]

Nothing special! Other than I would recommend cutting them back to 3-4” prior to replanting

[@jackieriggs6028]

Thanks Devin. We just had a huge rain storm so my plants are loving the fresh rain water. @@plantvibrations

[@michellewiklund8831]

My Iris are duplicating rapidly. I want to thin out. How often can I thin out. If I want to share with others and when I pull bulbs - will they still grow if I accidentally cut away part of the bulb

[@plantvibrations]

I need to make a video about this topic. You can thin them out as needed. And yes viable sections of a rhizome can be split and both sections remain viable

[@bettyrandich1569]

My husband trimmed plants down like you did..but then he put some miracle grow soil to cover them..this ok?

[@plantvibrations]

Miracle grow potting mix? It’s not really the best thing to do since that potting mix has fertilizer in it and we don’t want to fertilize at this time of year, and they like to have their rhizome basically exposed to the sun. But they’re super resilient so they’ll probably be ok

[@karenhenderson2624]

Hi, Devin. I'm going to go trim back my iris today. Thanks. Quick question- what is the plant right in front of your iris? Grazie! BTW- loved hearing Ciao at the end. I'm an American (originally from NJ) living in Italy.

[@plantvibrations]

Hi! It is called Dianthus Vivid bright. An excellent plant. My wife is Colombian and they spell it chao!

[@michelecave7047]

Hi Devin love your videos I learn a lot. I have bearded iris first I had them in a large planter no flowers, then I moved them to the ground they get south sun but behind a tall geranium no flowers. I don't know what else to do. 😢 I'm in San fernando Valley calif. I planted them as told with them high so top of them are above ground. Can you give me some tips

[@plantvibrations]

Hmm thats really odd, your region should be perfect for growing them. And it sounds like you didnt bury them too deep. you could send me a photo on instagram messages if you'd like and I could try to diagnose

[@ritahall8653]

Good to know

[@plantvibrations]

👍👍

[@melissaanderson5757]

Thanks. Any advice on keeping bearded iris strong enough not to collapse from the weight of their flowers?

[@plantvibrations]

It often happens when the produce new rhizomes that come in at an angle rather than flush to the ground. Just cut those ones out and replant flat

[@suemetcalf3878]

Question it’s December .. I cut my irises back in September they grew back and tried to grow and bloom in Nov so I will get rid of yellow leaves and we haven’t had a real frost yet.. should I cut back?

[@plantvibrations]

Wait to do it in March

[@tinaashworth8282]

You are adorable!

[@plantvibrations]

You are so kind

[@user-ut4zw6so6o]

I like the care you take in looking for reasons that your plants might have a problem. Good reminder to be a little more attentive. Do have a question. Since iris are native, and am attempting to create a native habitat for critters including insects, is there any reason the foliage would best be left on the plant over the winter (for example bees and flies using hollow and pithy plant stalks)?

[@plantvibrations]

You can absolutely leave them to create homes for the insects and then at the last couple weeks of winter cut them back

[@nancyclayton6535]

Thanks for the homework assignment. :-) Should I be doing the same thing to my Day Lily’s?

[@plantvibrations]

Yep! You can do this with daylily now as well!

[@FifiWad082758]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@plantvibrations]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clannadgirl46]

I’m in GA zone 7b. Should I wait to cut right back till the end of October?

[@plantvibrations]

Yep thats a good time to do this

[@margery2067]

Excellent very helpful Thank you Question: so we don't put mulch over them

[@plantvibrations]

Nope! Leave the rhizomes uncovered

[@TootsRrhir]

Thank you. Good advice

[@plantvibrations]

You're welcome!

[@annabrahamson4320]

I live in WI, I have done that trimming them back. However it gets really cold in October sometimes in the single digits, then it warms up at the end of November and they grow again. If they come up again, I have noticed they don't bloom. It has been very dry here and brown leaves can be caused by too little water

[@plantvibrations]

Yes it is unlikely they would bloom again in that instance

[@kctexan]

You are obviously trimming them before they go dormant and they are trying to grow leaves to photosynthesize energy into the rhizome. Iris don't need to be trimmed like this - it actually stunts their development.

[@brendawelch7013]

Should l make sure the roots are covered with soil?

[@plantvibrations]

Yes, but the rhizome can be partially out of the soil

[@lizas.5981]

Got lots of them. I do not do anything and they always have lots of flowers during early spring.

[@plantvibrations]

great!

[@yiayia100]

Great video, thx. When is the best time to dig up and transplant iris? I’ve been told when they make a circle they are ready to separate but should this be done in the early fall? I’ve always cut mine back but have never thinned them to transplant.

[@plantvibrations]

The best time to do that is in the summer just after they finish blooming

[@jeanwissinger6013]

Soapy water in spray bottle works. Lady bugs are excellent.

[@plantvibrations]

Great tip!