I planted a Louisiana iris (Jeri Iris) a couple weeks ago. It was slightly drooping when I got it, but I thought it would perk up after I got it in the ground. Since then it has gotten worse and the leaves are yellowing and browning. I read that this type of iris likes a lot of water so I tried watering it more, but it is not helpful.

What's all over the stems? Can you take a closer photo of the bottoms of the stems?

Here are some pictures of the stems and a closer picture of the leaf

Although your images show some yellow leaves, I think I spot healthy new green growth too? Maybe it is just a reaction to being transplanted (and/or being too dry during transport) and will sort itself out with proper care? Watering it should help and if it isn't already in slightly acidic soil, that will help too.

Good luck, I hope it makes it.


More on Louisiana Iris care:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.c...

Thank you!! Should I cut back the leaves that look damaged and the flower stalks?

jdm05288 said:Thank you!! Should I cut back the leaves that look damaged and the flower stalks?

You should be fine trimming them back.

jdm05288 said:



Here are some pictures of the stems and a closer picture of the leaf

jdm ~ Welcome to the Iris Forum!

I would pull off any damaged leaves and also check for aphids. If the "dirt" doesn't come off right away, there may be aphids sucking on your iris leaves. I usually just scrape mine off with a knife.

One shouldn't let the roots of LAs dry out when transplanting or shipping. Also the proper time for digging or transplanting LAs is in the fall, Sept. or Oct when they have gone dormant. The first time I tried sending LAs to my cousin n Kansas, I made two mistakes. I dug them too early, in July or August, which is fine for regular irises, but not for LAs. Secondly, though I wrapped the roots in wet paper towel, they still got too dried out.

So they did not survive. The next fall I tried again, digging them at the proper time, and encased the roots in baggies filled with hydrated water beads from Miracle Gro. That worked and I also instructed my cousin to work those water beads into the surrounding soil where he would be planting them, to help compensate for Kansas' dryer climate. They are thriving! As of this spring they have formed a huge, healthy clump which should be sending up scads of bloom stalks.

Thank you!! Should I cut back the leaves that look damaged and the flower stalks?

No. Let them mature naturally. They are photosynthesizing food that will get stored in the rhizomes to create next year's starts and bloom buds. Yellowing leaves are functioning better for them than no leaves at all.

If you are concerned about insects, try some Cornell spray:

In a 32 oz spray bottle put:
1+1/2 teaspoon neem oil,
3/4 teaspoon baking soda,
a small squirt of dish liquid,
Then fill to the top with water.

This worked well to get rid of an iris aphids infestation last year.