Can you cut back irises?

Answer 1

Yes you can. If you live in an area with mild winter climate, you can divide the rhizomes for bearded Iris now. It's just a little late. But they are much more durable than commonly known. At this point you can mow or clip the greenery back. They will start a growth push in the spring with new fresh leaves then blossoms. I have planted them as late as January and they have still bloomed nicely. I grow hundreds of them in a back cutting garden. I don't fertilize them. I don't water them regularly during the summer. Yet in April and May -- beautiful blooms! Nature's gift.

Answer 2

From what I remember Irises are bulb flowers that multiply in the ground yearly. To cut back you need to dig up the bulbs and remove them. Once the greenery is dead, cut it back to ground level and most suggest covering with extra debris (like leaves or mulch) during hibernation. After cutting back, you can trace the stem to the bulb producing it. You can choose which bulb to remove depending on the stems you want to eliminate. Most bulbs gain their energy/size/quantity during the hibernation and before springing again so you probably want to cut back a little more than you think.

Answer 3

Irises are literally not a bulb, they're a tuber. I reduce mine all the way down to the floor after the most suitable blossom has rotted. i have had mine, interior an similar position, for 8 years, and each and each and every three hundred and sixty 5 days I dig some up and throw them away.

Answer 4

To make them look neat, you can trim the leaves. If you mean cut to the ground, I wouldn't go that far. Cut the leaves back to about six-eight inches. If the plant is too wide, you would be able to divide it, but this is an iffy time of year to do it. That means digging up the mass of roots, usually discarding the old roots that may be mushy and replanting the divisions.

Answer 5

Sure can. I just cut all my perennials back. Then I put a little mulch over them. Early spring I will fertilize with a slow release granules, like 14-20-10. It promotes blooms.

Answer 6

Yes, they need it ! wait 5 weeks after blooming to cut back or dig up and divide the rhizomes. Always use 12-12-12 in early spring to fertilize.

Answer 7

Wait until the leaves are slightly yellow before cutting back, about 2 inches above the corms. You can also separate them after cutting them back. They store up food for next winter in the leaves if you cut them back too soon they won't be as strong next year.

Answer 8

You can cut out all the wilted dead leaves right now. If you want to separate them to get more plants, do it in the spring. They do multiply fairly quickly. I have them all around my house and I do this every year.

Answer 9

Mine i run over with my lawn mower when there almost dead.It has never hurt them they come back everyyear.

Answer 10

Wait until spring if they're still green.