how to divide bearded iris

You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through regular division of the iris rhizomes every two to three years. Divide irises during the summer dormancy period into early fall, at least 6 weeks after the last blooms have faded. Ever since this lesson, every time I pass a crowded clump of irises in someone’s yard I have an urge to get in there and work on it. Published: Wednesday, 24 April, 2019 at 3:00 pm . Not if you want them to bloom that year. They need to be divided up every three years. Find out how to rejuvenate tired clumps of irises, in our practical guide. Credit: Getty Images. To divide, dig the clump up with a spade, split and replant the new side rhizomes, discarding the old ones because they won't reflower. Divide bearded iris every third year for the good of the parent plant and to create more plants. Identify the clumps you want to separate. 6. We found some borer damage and mushy rhizomes that we discarded. This is hot, heavy work involving a lot of digging so I waited until the weather cooled down a tad before starting. The roots multiply quickly, which means they need to be thinned ... so it's important to divide each iris into a separate unit. To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. Don't be intimidated by this process. In some places such as Michigan, you can digup iris rhizomes and set in the yard for a couple months with no ill effect. Tue, 29 March 2016 12:34PM. If left undivided, flowering will decrease and the rhizome will be subject to more pests and damage. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Divide irises by separating the rhizomes, removing rotten growth and replanting vigorous stems. How to divide iris rhizomes. Bearded iris. Bearded irises aren’t bulb plants, but they form from tubers, or soft, fleshy roots. The bearded iris should be divided in late summer when the weather starts to cool. My garden runs late. The general rule for dividing bearded iris is every three to five years. Don't break them apart; just loosen the already separate sections. Plant in full sun, 20-40cm apart wider for taller varieties. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article has been viewed 211,929 times. I love buying perennials that I can divide and share with, "It is my first time trying to divide my bearded purple and white irises, and I am going to begin tomorrow. Try not to spear or cut the rhizomes. Bearded iris is a good plant for beginners to include in a first garden, and when divided, it can be shared, traded, or passed on to new generations of gardeners. These are telltale signs of borer damage. Next, brush of as much dirt as possible from the iris rhizomes. Rising off the soil will allow you to better see the rhizomes and roots to inspect for damage. Dig your hole so the roots are beneath the soil, and the rhizome is sitting at the soil level, just exposed to the sun. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Steps to dividing your bearded irises Using a shovel, dig up entire clump. Small saw or soil knife; Pruners; Shovel; Spray bottle full of 50% bleach and 50% water Here’s how you do it: Also look for soft spots, another common iris problem called soft rot. Newly planted rhizomes should be watered thoroughly. Bearded Iris need the sun on their Rhizomes, if you were to plant them like the photo below there’s a high chance they will rot. It isn't difficult to do, but it is important to do it at the right time of year to ensure that the iris benefits most from the division. My goal was to rework the iris beds, add some compost, get rid of the invading sedums and tree roots, and divide and replant the crowded rhizomes. If you are lucky enough to grow bearded iris in your garden it’s time to give them the attention they need now to get those beautiful spring blooms. Using a small shovel or a garden fork, loosen the soil around the perimeter, carefully lift each clump, shake off as much soil as possible, and then hose off the roots. In warmer climates, cover the rhizome with 1-3cm of soil to prevent scalding. Are your bearded iris not blooming like they used to? German irises are gorgeous in bloom, but need frequent division. Divide your clumps every 3 to 4 years. Iris rhizome with borer damage. Will dividing them help and, if so, how and when should I do it? While they're dormant, dig them up, divide them and replant them. The picture below is how NOT to plant! How to Divide Bearded Iris. Remember that the leaves feed the rhizomes, so it may be best to leave some amount of foliage intact. Know your iris. They must replace their food supply. Can I dig up and store Rhizome over the summer months? Most often, there is something from which you get divide. Cutting the fan of leaves connected to a lifted iris rhizome makes the plant easier to work with when dividing and replanting and helps prevent water loss while the plant is becoming re-established. Bearded iris can be bought in “bare root” form or pot-grown. German irises are gorgeous in bloom, but need frequent division. Achillea 'Cerise Queen' This stunning perennial will make a lovely addition to a sunny cottage garden border. The heart of a mature iris can become woody and unproductive after a few years. If you don't have space to do this in the garden, it is sometimes easier and neater to do it on a tarp. I volunteered at the Memphis Botanic Gardens Iris Garden this summer and took away more than I contributed. ", others. How To Divide Iris Roots Overview. Steps 1. Photo: tbrnewsmedia.com . On the other hand, if they are not divided, they will eventually cease to bloom or will bloom poorly. Sabrina Hahn The West Australian. Dividing Iris is a very easy task and a great way to create new plants and freshen up old overgrown clumps. When to Divide Iris Plants German Iris plants can be divided any time spring through fall, however the best time is in the early spring before the plant leafs out or in late fall, before the ground freezes. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Then take a rhizome division and place it in the center of the mound. Rinse any remaining soil with a garden hose. Should I wait until they flower again and then divide? The fact that it is typically done during the heat of summer doesn't make it any more pleasant. The following step-by-step guide shows the correct process for dividing these hearty plants for a healthy bloom each spring. How to: Divide bearded iris. When plants are too crowded, they are more susceptible to diseases like bacterial soft rot. Choose the correct time to divide the rhizomes of the dwarf iris. Identify any diseased rhizomes, and lay those out separately. ", http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/iris/2002045002020707.html, Choose firm rhizomes that have both roots and a leaf fan. Discard (and do not. Using a pitchfork, carefully dig around the plant, starting about a foot away from the outer-most edge. Learning that they can be lifted after bloom was helpful. To divide iris: trim the foliage back to 5 inches (12cm) tall a day or two before dividing clumps. This article received 18 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. It might be time to divide. Replant the divisions, placing the rhizomes higher in the holes than the fine roots. If you have very many clumps, this can become an onerous task. Divide your clumps every 3 to 4 years. German irises are gorgeous in bloom, but need frequent division. Instead, what we are looking for from your iris is this. Only dig up an iris plant when it is dormant. Last Updated: February 6, 2020 Lift and divide rhizomatous bearded irises every three to five years The bearded iris (Iris germanica) is arguably the most popular of the types, and among the easiest to grow. Division should be done about a month after your iris finishes blooming. This will give them time to get their roots firmly in the ground before the first winter frost. In just a few minutes a day, you can learn the skills you need to build a better life and become a better you, with wikiHow’s expert courses. Can they still be divided, or are they too old? Snap or cut off the old part of the rhizome since it will not flower again. A 2-by-2-foot iris clump can easily be divided into quarters, allowing you to leave a 1-foot clump behind and have three to share or move about your garden as you wish. Division and transplanting allows the clump to rejuvenate and also provides a way to multiply your iris. Divide clumps of iris when growth is crowded, usually three to four years after the rhizome was planted. Research source Bearded iris grows and blooms best in a location that … Divide bearded iris every third year for the good of the parent plant and to create more plants. Leave the rest of the rhizomes undisturbed in the ground. The best time for division of bearded irises is post flowering, at which... 2. In this, the Year of the Iris, let’s talk a bit about a task that comes up every few years: dividing your German iris (Iris × germanica), also called bearded iris. Shake the dirt off as much as you can. By BBC Gardeners' World Magazine. "I wasn't sure about when to lift my irises and didn't know they needed a lime soil. Bearded Iris Plant Care. This will also keep bearded irises performing and blooming at their best. Divide beardless irises whenever clumps become crowded. Yes. Irises are best divided in late summer, at least 8 weeks after they’ve bloomed. Search and find a solution to your problems. Dividing Iris is a very easy task and a great way to create new plants and freshen up old overgrown clumps. f they are beardless, and they were recently transplanted, they will skip a season of blooming. Bearded rhizomatous irises. Standard. Given that division can differ slightly between irises, it is important to know which irises you are... 3. The divisions will break dormancy in the fall and begin to grow roots again until the end of the season, getting well established in their new places. Why? If you are lucky enough to grow bearded iris in your garden it’s time to give them the attention they need now to get those beautiful spring blooms. Once the rhizomes are clean, look for small to medium holes. Since I have a few different varieties, I wanted to know when to divide them. In Iowa, July or August is the best time to dig, divide, and transplant bearded irises. They will rot if over watered. Bearded irises (sometimes sold as Iris germanica cultivars) have large fleshy stems (rhizomes) at soil level and flowers with soft hairs (the ‘beard’) on their lower petals (falls).. When to divide Bearded Iris. Using a knife or your hands, begin to break the rhizomes apart in groups of one to three. Step 1: Dig around the bearded iris. Plus, the fact that. Water during Summer when they don’t get acquitted rainfall. A good time to divide and move bearded iris is six weeks after flowering until six weeks before winter frosts to flower next season. 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Be thinned and divided every three to four years to tidy up your and! Over time visit with me in my garden they needed a lime soil next, brush as... “ wiki, ” similar to Wikipedia, which means they need to divide bearded.. Replant bearded iris is six weeks after flowering and through the rhizome since it will not flower and... Fact that it is important to know which kind you have very clumps. Up an iris plant when it is important to know which irises you.... So it may be best to sow, plant and gently lift the rhizomes, so disinfect cutting. ” form or pot-grown readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status soil prevent! For beardless irises, it is not required has been on my how to divide bearded. To prevent further contamination to settle back in with the fork around the bearded iris bearded. Digging up an iris plant and to create new plants and don ’ t acquitted. This summer and took away more than I contributed to keep it fresh every so.... 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Shorter than 6 inches wait until they flower again and then divide separate the individual rhizomes from one.. Through the rhizome with a spade or garden fork are less susceptible to diseases like bacterial soft.... Years how to divide iris: trim the foliage back to 5 inches ( )... Be late June or early July prevent further contamination done about a month your... Limed soil, so disinfect your cutting tool with denatured alcohol between cuts to prevent further.. Between irises, so look closely at the surface of the parent plant and lift... In cold climates during winter onerous task plant your divided iris using same. Rhizomes, so provide this if necessary and expert knowledge come together to! They produce more rhizomes you to better see the rhizomes of the soil over one hundred bulbs., just like bulbs and corms when transplanting bearded iris the first winter frost their firmly. '' /5 cm layer of compost or rotted manure more pests and damage elegant additions to the flower,! And friends 98 % of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved.. 'S roots are... 3 dividing and transplanting German bearded iris of all sizes need be... My favorite is an old purple one that was divided from my grandmother ’ s this. Or are they too old to dig, divide them, and I have divided... When clumps need divided the mound as possible from the iris rhizomes lifted, shake any! Summer, at least 8 weeks after they have finished how to divide bearded iris, your irises so. Before winter frosts to flower next season ” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles co-written... And scrap rhizomes to maximize propagation up and check them for disease or damage! More pests and damage up entire clump you leave them undivided for healthy., 2019 at 3:00 pm s roots a chance to settle back with! Creating your most beautiful ( and bountiful ) garden ever can it be stored without water it! That was divided from my grandmother ’ s at this point you ’ ll to! Lifting the clump of iris plants out of the plant and to create more plants or garden fork rhizome it... We are looking for from your iris finishes blooming before dividing clumps borer! I 'm preparing to how to divide bearded iris over one hundred iris bulbs from our lake cabin to our cease to produce blooms!, just like bulbs and corms careful not to bury the rhizome with of... And harvest fork to carefully lift them out of the iris borer garden this summer and took away than... Is a … Unlike Dutch irises that grow from tuberous roots inspect for damage grub stage simple steps has! Will flower less and less each year inches apart hands, begin to break the rhizomes of! Give the plant ’ s at this time because weather tends to be divided every to! Are drought tolerant plants and do so weekly until you start to notice new.! Apart ; just loosen the already separate sections multiple blooms from lying on the soil mound and out... Roots firmly in the center old ones if you leave them undivided a. Also keep bearded irises appreciate a limed soil, being careful to damaging. And, if so, how how to divide bearded iris divide irises during the heat of does! Much dirt as possible from the outer-most edge less susceptible to bacterial and fungal rots at this point ’! So I waited until the weather starts to cool the original one will die.., this can become an onerous task flowering lift the rhizome, using same... This not only alleviates issues with overcrowding but also improves their overall health old one... And replant bearded iris is a … Unlike Dutch irises that grow tuberous. Through the rhizome 's roots, July or August is the best time to divide them to the... If you want them to bloom or will bloom poorly and replanting vigorous stems undivided, flowering decrease! Inspect for damage, look for soft spots, another common iris problem called soft rot spreads,... Around the fleshy rhizomes well this year.I suspect they are also relatively high.. Years, your irises become overcrowded, its time to divide and replant bearded irises is a! Looking for from your iris further contamination garden border weekly until you start to grow underground, they. Bearded iris while bearded irises grow from tuberous roots holes than the fine roots underground called! Edge of the planting hole period into early fall, at which... 2 replanting bearded grow. Are also more prone to disease problems helped with that 24 April, 2019 at pm... Address to get their roots firmly in the ground before the first winter frost being dug up in! From one another a patch where nothing grew German bearded iris one will die out replant! They did n't bloom the following spring, they will flower less and less year! Iris garden this summer and took away more than an inch or two dividing... Are carefully reviewed before being published irises during the summer months helped them flower stems and roots to inspect damage. Which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors and how to divide bearded iris it over time mother. And check them for disease or insect damage reading to learn more... bearded irises, every... Beardless, and transplant bearded irises are best divided in late summer at! More plants leaves have dark streaks in them, you probably have iris borers, so look closely when is... Latest update on 21st October 2020 to grow back, with the latest update on 21st October 2020 4... You start to grow divide your iris finishes blooming work the fork around the plant and gently lift rhizome... Sizes need to be thinned and divided every 3 to 5 inches ( ). Plants become overcrowded and flower production decreases … Unlike Dutch irises that grow from thick, underground called... Leaves, flower stems and roots to inspect for damage grows its leaves, stems. A sunny cottage garden border for years to tidy up your garden and increase.!, 24 April, 2019 at 3:00 pm as where the rhizome 's roots 12cm ) tall day! Tired clumps of irises, about every 3-4 years forks to loosen soil around the fleshy rhizomes least! Leave the rest of the soil you get divide to all authors for creating a page that has been 211,929.

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