Proper pruning allows the opportunity to inspect your plants, remove any diseased or dead leaves and check for insect pests. Leave clippings on the lawn to naturally fertilize. (Zone 5a) I too cut back my Japanese Iris foliage and also my Siberian Iris foliage (I've found it's easier, IMO, to cut it green than brown). Irises come in every single color of the rainbow, says Gary White, immediate past-president of the American Iris Society. Bearded iris need some cool winter time to be happy for spring growing and blooming. Dont remove more than 1/3 of the top at a time. Some other fertilizer recipes are also suggested by experts. And here's more: Good air circulation is the key to preventing these diseases or lessening their damage. Irises are perennial, so theyll go dormant in early winter. info@irises-dallas.org. Look under the leaves to for their eggs. The first is to prepare the plants for digging and transplanting and secondly to remove diseased foliage especially at transplanting time. Double-check your towns compost regulations before adding anything new to your bin. For bearded irises, place the top of the rhizome at or an inch below the soil surface so that the top portion shows above-ground. Stalks can be cut close to the ground after bloom. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. The leaves should be about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Traditionally the leaf fans have been cut to about 9 in. Place the leaves out completely, or add them to your compost bin. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Dont crowd them because good air circulation helps prevent disease. Dig under a clump of rhizomes, and lift out the whole clump at once. In our area, we have seen many old iris blooming in March and April. Irises bloom once per year and typically in late spring or early summer. Spread out the roots in the soil and place the base of the rhizome about 1 inch into the soil. This is a good time to run your hands over the plant's base. he beauty of Irises and Iris flowers has been captured in famous paintings because of these flowers magnetic and attractive beauty. Larvae hatch in spring and eat through the leaves eventually boring into the plant's rhizome causing rot. For more local information, please visit some of our events and ask questions. Robin in Spring. Wait for your Irises to stop blooming. Once cold temperatures are consistent, most, if not all, of the iris leaves will die back naturally. Use a sharp knife or garden pruners to cut take off the entire stalk at the base, all the way down to the rhizome, says White. Different varieties have different heights and different blooming times in our spring season. 2. If yours is large enough that it is becoming hard to manage, you might want to consider dividing it and planting in other parts of your garden or sharing. In winter, be sure to cut the leaves of your Iris completely to the ground, and clean away any garden debris in your iris beds. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. They often have either a smooth papery outer layer or one that looks more fiberous. The "Median" types have several classification categories, and heights are less than 28". Apply by hand or with a rotary spreader, early in the morning, when grasshoppers are feeding. Afterward, leave the irises until the weather is dry and warm. When to cut back irises? | Home for the Harvest You could use any shears or trimmer as long as it cuts your plants in a straight or even line. Their leaves carry on photosynthesis and generate energy for next year's growth. The most important reason, however, is to prevent overwinter diseases. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. In regions that can expect sustained freezes, apply an organic mulch around the rhizomes. These tiny caterpillars burrow into newly emerging leaves. Walk the garden in early morning to pick off stink bugs and largus bugs from tomatoes. Incorporate a complete fertilizer into the upper 6 to 10 inches of soil using one pound per 100 square feet of bed area. But in late fall after a frost, cut back the leaf fans of bearded irises with scissors or a knife to about 2 to 4 inches above ground. Step into a meditative journey and Japanese pond design based on Zen philosophy at Rajat and Lisa Agarwals garden, members of the Austin Pond Society. Flower Pruning Irises either bloom once yearly, usually in late. Trees: DO NOT prune red oaks and live oaks unless damaged. I'll certainly forward any other info I find out. Louisiana Iris need at least 4 hours of sun. Although the foliage appears unsightly, it is slowly gathering energy to be stored for next season's flowering. The leaves of the iris can continue to photosynthesize as long as the temperature remains over freezing. Rhizomes are normally elongated. How to Harvest Garlic: Tips for Timing and Techniques If yours is large enough that it is becoming hard to manage, you might want to consider dividing it and planting in other parts of your garden or sharing. A brief shower doesnt mean it penetrated to the roots. Louisiana Iris Care. Step into a meditative journey and Japanese pond design based on Zen philosophy at Rajat and Lisa Agarwals garden, members of the Austin Pond Society. Since I haven't grown these, I can't offer any advice, except to suggest inquiring where you got them. Watering: Newly planted iris need some moisture to begin to establish their root system.