Hi, my mom has these irises that have not bloomed for years but are still alive. I would like to pull them out from this bed and put them in a sunnier place. Since they haven't bloomed in ages, can I do this now? and how to dig them up-the ground is wet now so it would be a good time.









Any help would be appreciated.

I don't think you'll kill them by moving them now, I've taken pieces off established clumps by digging in from the edges and breaking off rhizomes to share in the spring and those have survived just fine. They probably won't bloom this year but if they haven't in several years that's probably not a loss, either. I'm not an iris expert though, just started collecting seriously last year, so there are lots that can give much more sound advice than I can!

Thanks for your suggestions @LizinElizabeth. I agree that since they haven't bloomed in years, what's to lose if they don't bloom this year.

I think Liz is right. You may want to add a bit of compost to the new bed and make sure it receives at least a half day of sun light.

Will do @tveguy3. Thanks. Could I also pot some up in large pots? My mom has very limited mobility and I could move pots in front of her sliding glass doors so she could enjoy the blooms eventually.

Welcome Frenchy!

Yes, you can plant them in pots.

With your soil being so wet....make sure the wounds in your rhizomes are fully dried over and healed before you replant them. I would let dry up a few extra days just to make sure.

Hi and thanks @UndertheSun. Yes I will let them dry up completely before potting them up. How many per pot and how big a pot?

unless you want to transplant every year, frenchy, i would just do one or two at the very most. i planted one, in a 20 gal. container (8/2016) two years ago, and i will need to thin and divide for sure this year. rhizomes in my area grow rapidly; if there's time today or tomorrow, i'll take some pictures of the rhizomes in the pots, already crawling on top of each other........i will post separately, so you won't have to look up this particular post again.

Ah, look at those long thin Southeastern rhizomes! They look like well established iris so lifting them and replanting should really increase their bloom. Just make sure you don't crowd them.

I agree that they will do just fine in pots as long as you only put one or two in a pot. Two tall bearded iris in a two gallon pot can thrive as long as the rhizomes don't sink in the pot or get over watered.

Good luck to you!

Thanks @Lestv. Those irises have been there for years - over 20 years at least. It's been that long since my mom had to start using a cane. I think they bloomed purple but I won't swear to it. So the rhizomes should just lay on top of the soil or maybe just a little tucked in?

Planting them in soiless mix is preferable to soil. and you will need to fertilize unless you get a mix with slow release fertilizer included.