they're irises, yes—but how do I relocate them?
April 27, 2022 4:52 PM Subscribe
After twenty years here, an iris has bloomed. Now what?
For years, I've noticed fronds of what I assumed were probably some kind of iris, but for twenty years here, nothing ever bloomed. I've always told myself that "I should probably move those somewhere they could get sun and perhaps bloom"—they're by a fence that was put up about the time I moved here, in a very out of the way place in the yard.
This week, I was greeted by an actual bloom—flower tax paid here—which I saved from being trampled on (it was growing almost parallel to the ground). Now that I know how lovely they are, I would like to move them to a more prominent place, where they can get sun and be enjoyed. I have no idea how to do this, but I'm willing to bet that someone here is an iris-knower and can give me good advice.
What's the best way to maximize my enjoyment of these irises? btw, the other blooms are opening, and lovely, and here's what the "fronds" of the plant look like.
For years, I've noticed fronds of what I assumed were probably some kind of iris, but for twenty years here, nothing ever bloomed. I've always told myself that "I should probably move those somewhere they could get sun and perhaps bloom"—they're by a fence that was put up about the time I moved here, in a very out of the way place in the yard.
This week, I was greeted by an actual bloom—flower tax paid here—which I saved from being trampled on (it was growing almost parallel to the ground). Now that I know how lovely they are, I would like to move them to a more prominent place, where they can get sun and be enjoyed. I have no idea how to do this, but I'm willing to bet that someone here is an iris-knower and can give me good advice.
What's the best way to maximize my enjoyment of these irises? btw, the other blooms are opening, and lovely, and here's what the "fronds" of the plant look like.
Response by poster: not to threadsit, but I wanted to thank RobinofFrocksley for the great response. Also: I didn't plant these, and I have no idea who did: the house has been here for 80 years, and we've only been here for twenty or so...
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 5:30 PM on April 27, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 5:30 PM on April 27, 2022 [4 favorites]
The description I’ve used when explaining how to plant irises is that the rhizomes should sit in the soil like a duck sits in water.
posted by sciencegeek at 6:59 PM on April 27, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by sciencegeek at 6:59 PM on April 27, 2022 [5 favorites]
Also break up some of the clumps and spread them out when you transplant, after all these years the rhizomes are too crowded. They do well in pots too.
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:23 PM on April 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by a humble nudibranch at 10:23 PM on April 27, 2022 [1 favorite]
Here is a good article about dividing iris, including information about bearded iris rhizomes, Siberian and Japanese iris roots, and Dutch iris bulbs.
A portion of the main root system can be discarded because it is old and no longer productive, or soft and mushy, or may contain iris borers. This will often leave many healthy rhizome sections, each with some foliage and a few roots.
Give the newly planted iris plenty of sunshine and space to grow. Crowded iris will make leaves but no blooms.
As noted above, you should still see the upper part of the rhizome in the dirt after it is planted. Do not mulch, and attempt to keep grass clippings from burying the rhizomes over time.
My bearded iris tend to lean over, so anticipate that when planting near pathways.
posted by TrishaU at 1:05 AM on April 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
A portion of the main root system can be discarded because it is old and no longer productive, or soft and mushy, or may contain iris borers. This will often leave many healthy rhizome sections, each with some foliage and a few roots.
Give the newly planted iris plenty of sunshine and space to grow. Crowded iris will make leaves but no blooms.
As noted above, you should still see the upper part of the rhizome in the dirt after it is planted. Do not mulch, and attempt to keep grass clippings from burying the rhizomes over time.
My bearded iris tend to lean over, so anticipate that when planting near pathways.
posted by TrishaU at 1:05 AM on April 28, 2022 [5 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks very much to all who responded; looking forward to enjoying many more of these bearded lovelies next fall!
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 9:51 AM on April 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ivanthenotsoterrible at 9:51 AM on April 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
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You can do this right now although it's typically done in the very early spring just as the shoots appear or in the fall. If you do it now you may (very likely) not get get any more flowers this season but it doesn't look like you're getting any more this season from it as is.
The MOST important thing about irises is to plant them properly. The tops of the rhizomes should be visible above the soil. Like the whole top third or half should protrude. Do not plant them too deep. Everyone does, and the ones that you have are obviously planted too deep. This may be the sole reason they won't flower for you.
Other than that, they are super easy. They like a lot of sun and aren't fussy about soil. I have more than a dozen varieties flourishing in my clay soil. Feel free to memail me for more details, I could go on about irises all day.
posted by RobinofFrocksley at 5:26 PM on April 27, 2022 [15 favorites]