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| Photo: Pixabay |
It’s hard to beat Iris in your landscape with the numerous species and cultivars in almost every shade of color imaginable. Plus, the foliage adds texture and interest to garden spaces even when the flowers aren’t in bloom.
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| gardening.cornell.edu |
How are your iris looking? It may be time to divide the rhizomes and replant them for beautiful blooms next year and August/September is the perfect time. Most iris clumps become crowded and should be divided every 3-4 years.
To divide, dig up the whole clump using a pitchfork or broadfork if you have one. Iris rhizomes tend to grow from the center, leaving a clump of dead ones in the middle. Using a sharp knife or a hori-hori, cut off and discard hollow or mushy ones.
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| hort.extension.wisc.edu |
Trim the leaves down to a fan shape about 6-8 inches long – this will prevent them from getting knocked over after they are planted again and will give the roots time to settle in. Plant at least 8-12 inches apart and water in well. When replanting, the rhizomes should be between ½ on top of the soil and not be deeper than 1 inch with the roots spread out under the rhizome.
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| ucanr.edu |
Water in well and get ready for some beautiful blooms next year.
