I am a newbie at growing iris. I have 4 plants that bloomed this past spring. I know with bulbs you have to leave the leaves for bulb nourishment but how long? It is now mid July and they are still green. Can I bend them over and cover with mulch? I do this with my daffodils every year. Appreciate advice!!
evegilly

Are these Dutch Iris (with bulbs) or Bearded Iris (with rhizomes)?

Bearded Iris'

I forgot to state I live in Kentucky. Zone 7. Not sure if that makes any difference.

In that case I would not remove the leaves or cover them with mulch. The top of Iris rhizomes need to be exposed to light and air, otherwise they can rot.

I'm not sure if they will loose their leaves completely in your region (other growers will need to comment), but in mine area most cultivars don't lose many leaves at all through winter. A couple lose all of the largest leaves and only the new growth remains.

welcome to the iris forum eve.

Eve ~ to the Iris Forum!

Welcome Eve! Your bearded iris will probably keep their leaves all year round in Kentucky. Don't cover them with mulch, as was mentioned before. Unless they are unsightly for some reason just leave the foliage as is. You can cut off leaves that have turned brown.

Thank you for your help!! Will leave them as is 😊

I would like to know if the attached picture shows typical changes in iris foliage for this time of year or do I have some type of viris? The spots and yellowing start even before the irises bloom.

Hi Sherri,

That is not normal. Do you have any kind of pest that could be causing damage to the plants?

It may be a virus, but it would be good to get some more information first.

@SherriRaye - also have a look at The thread "Mosaic Virus in Irises" in Irises forum for some photos of a confirmed virus infection.

Eve.

Sherri - before panicking about mosaic virus, also look up information on leaf spot, which was pretty common in Washington and Oregon this spring because of all the rain. Treating your iris with a fungicide would probably be a good idea.

Here is a good place to start. It is from the American Iris Society: https://www.irises.org/About_I...

Thanks for the info Joshua and Leslie. I will probably treat the iris with a fungicide before doing anything for Mosaic Virus.

Many gardeners get some leaf spot. It is easily spread. I'd trim back the leaves that are affected - dispose the leaves in bags, not in the compost. Some advise dipping the shears or scissors in rubbing alcohol after each cut. Then you can use a fungicide. Since we're avoiding toxic chemicals that aren't good for the earth, I'm going to try a natural product called Neem oil, which is mixed with water and a bit of detergent for sticking power. Since overhead watering may spread the leaf spot, we're also working up to installing a drip system that avoids the leaves. Our occasional spotting isn't as bad as yours, however. Good luck.

just a word jan, make sure the temps aren't too high. i understand neem oil will burn the leaves if sprayed when it's too hot.

Thanks for the warning, daphne! I'll test it first and dilute it too. Maybe I should wait for cooler weather. The leaves look very clean now.

Jan ~ I have Neem oil too, and I am waiting for early fall when the weather is cooler, but not yet wet.

janwax said:Many gardeners get some leaf spot. It is easily spread. I'd trim back the leaves that are affected - dispose the leaves in bags, not in the compost. Some advise dipping the shears or scissors in rubbing alcohol after each cut. Then you can use a fungicide. Since we're avoiding toxic chemicals that aren't good for the earth, I'm going to try a natural product called Neem oil, which is mixed with water and a bit of detergent for sticking power. Since overhead watering may spread the leaf spot, we're also working up to installing a drip system that avoids the leaves. Our occasional spotting isn't as bad as yours, however. Good luck.

Thanks for the helpful advice.