dividing iris

I always think of iris blooms as being so fleeting. They just do NOT last long, either in the garden or as cut flowers.

But then again, they are SO lovely that of course, I must grow them.

This is one of my very favorite iris in my garden: it was given to me by a friend who had lived here.

Louisiana Iris  and this is ‘teddy bear’

All iris will bloom prolifically for a few years…although the first year you may not get flowers. But after that, and for about four years, the flowers will be wonderful. After about four years (I have found) the rhizomes become large and crowded and the iris need to be divided.

Here are my helpful hints to divide iris:

1. Use a fork to dig up the iris. You don’t really need to be TOO careful…they will be fine.
2. Wash them off. Be sure all foliage is cut back to about 5″ above the rhizome.
3. Often you can simply snap the rhizomes to separate them. Or, use a sharp knife to divide. Sometimes you will get up to 4 new “clumps” from one original, and sometimes only […]