thinning iris beds

When should you thin irises?

Iris need to be thinned or divided before they become overcrowded, generally every 3-4 years. If Iris are allowed to become too crowded the bloom will suffer, some varieties may crowd others out and disease problems may be aggravated. August or September is the time to divide and transplant Bearded Iris.

How do you thin out iris plants?

To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. If possible, lift the whole mass out whole, but if you are unable to do this, carefully break the clump into smaller parts and lift these out. Next, brush of as much dirt as possible from the iris rhizomes.

Can I thin iris in the spring?

Yes, I do know that the proper time to divide Iris is six to eight weeks after they have bloomed but so many times I don't get to all of them then come Springtime I have some overcrowded clumps that could use a bit of thinning.

Why are my irises falling over?

Iris also will fall over if they are growing in too much shade or if they have been over-fertilized with a high-nitrogen mix that will spur foliar growth at the expense of flower development. ... Wait until late July to carefully dig up the clump of rhizomes.

Should I deadhead irises?

Deadheading, or removing the old flowers, keeps the plants attractive and allows the leaves to collect energy for healthy root formation instead of setting seeds. Some irises may bloom twice a year if you deadhead properly. Break off the individual flowers on each flowering stem after they finish blooming.

Can you transplant irises in the 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.

How long can iris rhizomes be out of the ground?

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.

How do I keep weeds out of my iris bed?

Smother the Grass

Cover the bare soil around the plants with a 3- to 4-inch layer of straw or bark mulch, but don't place the mulch on top of the rhizomes. The mulch will keep weeds from growing around the iris plants, which can slow the grass' spread into the iris rooting area.

Do you cut Iris back after blooming?

A: After your irises have bloomed, you can indeed cut down the flower stalk; this process is known as "deadheading". ... Eventually the iris will finish its energy restoring process, and then the leaves will turn brown. At that point, you may then cut off the leaves, too, if you wish.

Is Epsom salt good for irises?

Another tip to keep them looking good all summer is to give them a dose of Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate). Mix according to directions and water or spray your Iris. This will improve leaf color and plant vigor. Doing these things now will prepare your iris for next year's bloom season.

What will happen if I transplant iris in spring?

This stresses the plants, and can even cause them to stop blooming. Irises that are stressed also become more susceptible to pests like iris borers. By dividing and transplanting your irises, you will rejuvenate the plants, and be rewarded with a greater number of healthy blooms in the spring.

Where is the best place to plant irises?

Choosing and Preparing a Planting Site

Irises will bloom best in full sun. They can tolerate as little as half a day of sun, but it's not ideal. Without enough light, they won't bloom. Bearded irises must not be shaded out by other plants; many do best in a special bed on their own.

How many years will irises bloom?

Plant Spacing

This gives the plants room to grow over the next two to three years. After two to four years, the irises become crowded from new growth and can stop blooming.

How do you keep irises upright?

Use bamboo stakes to help keep your dahlias and iris upright. Carefully place the stake next to the plant making sure to avoid the underground tuberous roots and rhizomes. Loosely tie the plant to the stake using twine. Make a figure eight looping the twine around the stake and the other loop around the plant stem.

What month do iris bloom?

A number of bearded varieties bloom from early spring to early summer. Among beardless irises, many varieties in the Spuria subgroup bloom from late spring to midsummer. Some Siberian iris (Iris sibirica) and Japanese iris (I. ensata) selections bloom from mid-spring to early summer.

Will iris multiply?

Irises multiply readily by growing new rhizomes that mature quickly. Because they multiply so quickly, irises are easy to share. Every few years, irises should be divided just like daylilies to rejuvenate the plant.

What to do when irises have finished flowering?

Split the irises every year, after flowering has ended during June. At this point the early summer leaves and flower stems have started to die back, and the late summer leaves have started to grow. 2. Split individual plants by cleaving the rhizomes with a spade, leaving the part to be retained undisturbed in the soil.

Do irises prefer sun or shade?

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. Louisiana iris are hardy in zones 6-9.

What happens if you plant bulbs in the spring?

Waiting until spring to plant the bulbs will not satisfy these requirements, so spring-planted bulbs will likely not bloom this year. ... The bulbs likely won't bloom this spring, but they may bloom later in the summer, out of their normal sequence, or they may just wait until next year to bloom at the normal time.

Can you transplant rhubarb in the spring?

Rhubarb can be transplanted in early spring or early fall (mid-September through early October). Rhubarb does best in fertile, well-drained soils and full sun. The best time to transplant rhubarb is in early spring before growth begins. Carefully dig up the plant with a spade.