I`ve got some patches of bearded iris. When should they be trimmed into the fan shape?
They`ve been here forever and I haven`t found out anything `bout growing them.
Hope they don`t die now that I`ve turned my attention to taking care of `em!

thank you

Welcome Tisha!

Your climate is different from mine, but faced with neglected patches of iris (do you have names for them?) I'd dig them up, writing their names on an inner leaf, set them aside, and turn over the bed, adding amendments depending on your soil, then re-planting the trimmed irises, leaving a reasonable amount of the fans - about 8 ".The leaves make next year's growth. Add water if the ground is dry.
Others here may have other suggestions. Good luck!

hi tisha. i don't usually trim, unless they're too unsightly, as i did this year. last year it wasn't nearly as hot for as long a period as it has been this year. hence, the leaf browning. if you keep them "plucked' (when the yellow/browning leaves yield easily to being pulled is when i pluck) they have better photosynthesis for next years growth, and bloom.

you're in a much colder region, than i, and i don't know the conditions around your beds. such as do you get falling leaves, pine needles, etc.? in the past, trimming them "opened" up the base of the leaves to trap more water from the winter rains we usually get, starting in late fall. that action resulted in a few cases of rot, when we lived in northern california.

perhaps, others in zone 5b near ohio can share their experiences?

Yes, I meant to add that I tend to trim late, except for cleanup of brown leaves.

It may be late to dig and replant in north Ohio. I never trim my fans. I would suggest just cleaning/weeding the beds and watering once a week if it is very dry. If you fertilize now it may spur growth in six weeks and the weather then may not be kind to new growth. Perhaps someone who lives closer to your region will chime in with sound advice. Welcome to the iris forum!

Good points, Bonnie! My CA climate is very different from Ohio's!

Zone differences aside, all the info given is very helpful.
No name, probably a generic cheapie. White with a lavender/blue edging. In several different beds, about 20 in each group.
Next year I`ll fertilize as suggested, and revitalize/replant next fall.
They`ve had so little care but still look good to me.

Thanks All!

Hi Tisha-
Good advice from all of the above. Irises are tough, and can withstand a lot of adversity. I am in your neighboring state to the west in zone 5a/b in north central Indiana. We are getting into early autumn and that's when weather begins to change. I wouldn't do much this year, except to leave them where they are. As far as 'trimming' the leaves, I would not at this late date because of unpredictable weather. Nor would I transplant them since we are into almost September.

If you stay with us you will learn a lot from some very knowledgeable folks on this forum. Some of them have already posted above. And there are more on here who will chime in. Their experiences are invaluable.

Hope this is helpful and a very warm

Welcome to the forums, Tisha!

I am very new to iris love myself, but the best tip I can give is take it one step at a time, and don't be afraid to ask questions. Good luck, Tisha! Stick around!

to this woderful group !

Well one Trisha. So far every one has given good advice. If there is something your not sure, ask. Someone is bound to have encountered it at some point.

Tisha, from another west coast iris lover.

Tisha ~ to the Iris Forum!

Welcome, Tisha. Being in a similar climate, Leon has good advice.

Since it sounds like you've had the iris for a while, I'd consider doing some non-digging thinning per this article - if Leon agrees.

https://garden.org/ideas/view/...

What you want to do is cut out the non-productive old rhizomes - NOT any "mothers" with growing increases.

If now is not the time to do it (because it is getting late), then you should consider doing it early next spring (which is what I think the author, Kent, did). You can then do any real dividing needed next summer.

(Makes note to self... get out the Hori Hori knife...)

Tisha

Polymerous said:Welcome, Tisha. Being in a similar climate, Leon has good advice.
Since it sounds like you've had the iris for a while, I'd consider doing some non-digging thinning per this article - if Leon agrees. (I do.)
https://garden.org/ideas/view/...
What you want to do is cut out the non-productive old rhizomes - NOT any "mothers" with growing increases.
If now is not the time to do it (because it is getting late), then you should consider doing it early next spring (which is what I think the author, Kent, did). You can then do any real dividing needed next summer.
(Makes note to self... get out the Hori Hori knife...)

Good stuff all around; especially Kent's article.
The only thing I can add here is housekeeping; weeds, grass & undesirables.

Iris forum members,
Thank you for the warm welcome.
@UndyingLight I am afraid. They`re are sooo many breath-taking beauties. I haven`t looked at any members pictures yet. Too much drooling dehydrates me.
In the future I`m sure I can count on all of you to contribute to my newest garden addiction!
Next time I`ll ask `bout venders and cultivars.
Yes, I`m afraid...............

Happy Gardening

Tisha

Just try not to be like some of us, and bite off more than you can chew!

Polymerous said:Just try not to be like some of us, and bite off more than you can chew!

Tisha said:Iris forum members,
Thank you for the warm welcome.
@UndyingLight I am afraid. They`re are sooo many breath-taking beauties. I haven`t looked at any members pictures yet. Too much drooling dehydrates me.
In the future I`m sure I can count on all of you to contribute to my newest garden addiction!
Next time I`ll ask `bout venders and cultivars.
Yes, I`m afraid...............

Happy Gardening

Tisha

We're all different. If it is something you truly love, like most of us here, why not pursue it to at least an extent? That's what I am doing, and I could possibly change my life with it (a career of sorts).

It's up to you, but from what I gather, it is an unending and I repeat unending battle to keep what you love, from giving up a ghost, EVEN if they're some resilient plants. Up to you, Tisha, but I know very well this site and the lovely people will help with that. They have already helped me so much in just about two weeks.