Can I dig up and store Rhizome over the summer months? I love the iris plant because of the bloom which is a mixture of yellow and purple. Thank you. Well-written.". She writes a weekly garden Q&A and feature stories. "I never knew the proper time of the year to split the irises, so this really helped with that. Dietes plant blossoms are showy and last just a day, sometimes two. Before the Iris can be split, should the foliage by cut down? She's been a frequent speaker at various garden events. Divide your Irises after they bloom. This plant has iris-like flowers that are on perennial clumps of narrow bright green leaves. Only dig up an iris plant when it is dormant. Replant the small shoots and scrap rhizomes to maximize propagation. In common parlance, African iris is also called fortnight lily, yellow fortnight lily and butterfly flag. Some of my irises did not bloom this spring. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Tip While African Irises are not particularly susceptible to various plant diseases, sterilizing pruning shears in a 1-10 bleach/water solution after pruning ensures that diseases will not be transferred from plant to plant. African iris grows best in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Most are about 3 feet long. Divide oversized or crowded clumps of plants in the late winter, before spring growth begins. — M.M., Clear Lake. Botanically its known as Dietes bicolor. Even though these beautiful flowers are short lived, they can still be planted in … Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 210,633 times. I also learned that we've been over-watering. It will tolerate several hours of shade but requires at least 6 hours of bright sun to bloom well. They grow best in full sun; little sun will most likely only give you leaves. My Bearded Iris has not been divided for many years. What can be done with the seed pods that appear on some of the flowers? Could I do it now? This article applies to the bearded iris. I have been asked when is the proper time to divide African Irises in Florida, and what would be the best way to do this? Irises can become congested over time, which tends to inhibit flowering. Their blossoms come in almost every color you can imagine. African iris Bruce Bennett/For the Chronicle. One of the best all-purpose plants for home landscapes, it stands up to heat, drought and neglect. However, it is typically more practical to dig bulky colonies, divide them into individual shoots, and then plant the shoots. May I divide the rhizomes now? A cousin to bearded iris, Siberian iris and the rest of the iris flower clan, African iris is a native of South Africa. You can break off the rhizomes by hand, or use a sharp knife to make the cut cleaner. They have just come through winter without feeding. Next, brush of as much dirt as possible from the iris rhizomes. Can they still be divided, or are they too old? Neutral This article has been viewed 210,633 times. She did graduate work through the University of Georgia system. Reviewing your article always, "I was not sure right time of year to divide. Lily of the Nile and African iris do not need dividing often, but when they do, it can be a major chore. It has no flowers at all. Thanks. Their exquisite blossoms earned them the title as “the poor man’s orchid”. Add a 2-inch layer of organic mulch around the plant. ", irises bloom in late May to early June. Approved. Can I divide my bearded iris the first week of October in Maine? The African iris is white in color with small yellow and blue markings in the center of the flower. To divide, dig up the rhizomes then cut the clump in half with a sharp tool. If tried on other irises, be aware that there may be delays in flowering as a result. Dividing these two perennials is typically for propagation or containment, rather than crowding. Military-grade camera shows risks of airborne coronavirus spread, NBA vet blasts James Harden for not helping Rockets' Black coach, Zodiac Killer's most uncrackable cipher has been solved, 'Smallest Target in the world' in West Texas has been torn down, The best Texas fast food taco is disgusting and delicious, One of Texas' most-infected districts is ending remote learning, Deshaun Watson's insane cheesesteak joint is opening soon, There will be no 'A students' in Texas this year, How you can watch Texans or Army-Navy game if CBS is blacked out. Should I wait until they flower again and then divide? To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. Giant Apostles' Iris Neomarica caerulea 'Regina'. Tap into the beauty of drought-tolerant African iris. Start the mulch a few inches away from the African iris’s base and extend it out toward its drip line. I live in Edmonton, AB. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. A: Yes, you can cut the old/brown foliage back. The African Iris has a wonderful natural look to it – making it a great choice for borders and long-view vistas. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. They will also do well if exposed to direct morning sun or late evening sun. Since I have a few different varieties, I wanted to know when to divide them. X Should i cut back the leaves when i divide the rhizomes or do i leave them long. The soil is too hard to dig and divide. Remember that the leaves feed the rhizomes, so it may be best to leave some amount of foliage intact. What can I do? Divide clumps in fall or winter. Division and transplanting allows the clump to rejuvenate and also provides a way to multiply your iris. I've never divided anything but have read it should be done in the fall. A Texas rep wants us to secede. Check for plump, white roots, then lift a clump and separate sections with one leaf fan. For moderate crowding, it is relatively easy to pluck many individual shoots without disturbing remaining shoots. Can I cut it all the way back? Be sure to discard old and/or unhealthy rhizomes. Why? Pamela McGeorge and Alison Nicoll, Irises, p. 23, (2001), ISBN 1-86953-470-0 If possible, lift the whole mass out whole, but if you are unable to do this, carefully break the clump into smaller parts and lift these out. ", "This article took away my fear of doing something about my overgrown iris beds. It isn't difficult to do, but it is important to do it at the right time of year to ensure that the iris benefits most from the division. How much sun, shade, water and care does it need? Last Updated: February 6, 2020 Shoots will emerge; although they won't bloom the following spring, they will become quality divisions by summer. This plant can be grown in full sun or part shade, from standing water to droughty conditions. — M.M., Clear Lake. Step-by-step process, along with pictures, made it very clear. If left undivided, the flowering will decrease and the rhizome will be subject to more pests and damage. Research source The plant is also referred to as a “Fortnight Lily” – because of their two-week blooming cycle. ", "I never knew this and you provided the information I needed! I would wait until at least August, although you should check with a local master gardener or your county extension agent, since winter comes on earlier there than it does where I live in the South. [1] iris | Dividing African Irises. Yes. If they didn't bloom, they might not be getting enough sunlight. African Iris Care Must-Knows. Given that division can differ slightly between irises, it is important to know which irises you are seeking to divide. The Rockets seemingly are willing to be patient with Harden's reported trade demands. Learn all about planting, growing, and caring for iris flowers. Read on to find out. We usually tie any long foliage and established flowering stems up with string and support them with a bamboo stake until the newly re-planted divisions have re-established themselves. Not if you want them to bloom that year. 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All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. How do I know if I need to cut back my bearded irises? Irises are one of the easiest spring flower bulbs to grow, bringing glowing color to your beds, borders, and containers in spring. Learning that they can be lifted after bloom was helpful. As irises mature, the rhizome produces more rhizomes. Also, it was very helpful to learn that they did not have to be, "This was very helpful. Thank you for the explanations. The general rule for dividing bearded iris … ", "It helped because I thought that irises were like tulips and had to be divided in the spring. Is early September too late to dig, divide and replant bearded irises in WI? Would I divide them in the spring? Its sepals are bright white with a yellow signal. ", "Helped me know when and how to divide my irises, as I didn't have a clue. On the other hand, if they are not divided, they will eventually cease to bloom or will bloom poorly. While all iris species are native to the northern hemisphere we have many members of the general family in SA, the best known of which is dietes.D. The soil is too hard to dig and divide. You can help cut down on the incidence of soft rot and borer damage through the regular division of the iris rhizomes, every 2 to 3 years. Thanks! They are about 10 years old and i think i need to dig them up and divide them. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. This is a very low maintenance plant that thrives on neglect.Each flower last only a day, but is quickly replaced by another. In Maine, assume it would be late June or early July. ", "Needed to know when to divide, and this article was helpful. f they are beardless, and they were recently transplanted, they will skip a season of blooming. Division differs slightly. Where I live in Nevada, my, "I have recently started to enjoy irises in my garden. Am I becoming my mother or are teen girls hard to shop for? Plant each of the halves separately or give one away! This can be remedied by lifting and dividing their rhizomes to give them a little more space. My irises have gotten too big for the bed I planted them in, so this "how to" totally helped me with my thinning and transplanting. She was Features Copy Desk chief before becoming the first full-time garden editor for the paper in 1988. Its great aesthetic value coupled with its ease of care and growth, make it a great plant for many different landscapes. White African Iris is one of many common names for the beautiful lily you see in the picture to the right.. More properly called the Dietes Iridioies or the Dietes Vegeta White, you may know it as the Cape Iris, Fortnight Lily or just plain Wild Iris. They must replace their food supply. Dividing Iris The very beautiful bearded (a.k.a. You should divide and replant after the flower has bloomed and fallen off. ", http://faq.gardenweb.com/faq/lists/iris/2002045002020707.html, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, Choose firm rhizomes that have both roots and a leaf fan. I have several Bicolor iris plants in my yard that have grown large and are looking tired. Bearded irises are fairly hardy plants and don't mind being dug up once in a while. African iris (Dietes iridioides) provides an evergreen iris variety for warmer areas, including U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 through 11. Get expert gardening tips on the FORTNIGHT LILY, AFRICAN IRIS. Rhizomes can be stored without water, just like bulbs and corms. Please let … Diagrams. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. She is married to photographer John Everett and they have one son. Dividing dietes aka African iris aka fortnight lily. This article applies to the bearded iris, the best known of the irises. How to Trim an African Iris. Learn How to Divide Iris Bulbs for Spectacular Blooms, Season After Season. I have to move my iris bed. African Iris (Dietes vegeta) – aka “Butterfly Iris” – is probably the best known in South Florida landscapes. Design Ideas Here is a white Iris that is simple to maintain and fits into virtually any garden, from prim perennial borders to low-maintenance parking lots! African Iris (Dietes vegeta)This non-native plant is not actually a true Iris but is a tough and versatile plant. Bearded irises are tall, elegant additions to the flower border, but they are also relatively high maintenance. You should divide them just after they have finished flowering. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. The reason you should divide your irises in late spring after they bloom is because they need warm soil for roots to grow and nourish the plant for the following season. Saturating the soil the day before digging helped a little, but it did take muscle. Dietes plant information says this plant is commonly called African iris or Butterfly iris. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Kathy Huber has worked for the Houston Chronicle since May 1981. b) Dietes will only bloom from established flowering stalks, so when dividing and re-planting it's wise to keep the established flowering stalks and extensions intact. By using our site, you agree to our. My Irises did not flower this year, and I have a patch where nothing grew. A native of Moultrie, Ga., she graduated from Queens University of Charlotte, formerly Queens College. My garden runs late. So when is the best time to divide irises? The African Iris, also known as Fornight Lily or Morea Iris, has sword-shaped leaves that grow in a fan-like pattern and beautiful white iris-like flowers that extend above. Suppress weed growth using a 2"/5 cm layer of compost or rotted manure. Apr 24, 2017 - This petite beauty is a giant. The flower does not have a long life span—it will last for two days before it dies—but they blossom mainly during the spring season. aturating the soil the day before digging helped a little, but it did take muscle. Luan Aiken discusses how to divide your bulbs and day lilies. The bearded iris falls into this group. I also found it difficult to divide an established African iris (Dietes bicolor). It depends on where you live and where you store them. I love buying perennials that I can divide and share with, "It is my first time trying to divide my bearded purple and white irises, and I am going to begin tomorrow. The African iris can be grown from seed but is more commonly propagated from rhizomes, which are large fibrous sections of roots that can be divided every few years in the spring. To divide your iris, start by lifting the clump of iris plants out of the ground with a spade or fork. % of people told us that this article helped them. If you see a whitish pink grub, dispose of it by squashing it. During division, they are in the grub stage. Wait until flowering is over before dividing the iris clump, discarding any old, woody rhizomes and replanting only young, healthy plants into freshly-prepared soil. bicolor (above), or the yellow wild iris, is fast growing. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Steps for Dividing Iris Plants. I have a ton of these and would like to move some to different areas of the garden. The African iris is a native of South Africa, this garden beauty can be found near marsh areas. Too little sun is a possibility. ", already prepared the new site with the proper soil. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. This article has been viewed 210,633 times. Plant container-grown plants or divisions from a friend in the spring. ", "It was very clear on the directions on how to divide bearded irises. Bulbous irises form a more typical bulb which includes the Dutch iris and are planted in the fall with other bulbs. Tie thin strips of colored rags on the bud stalks while they are in bloom in order to identify the colors of mixed patches during division. Thank you. grandiflora (below) is also known as the ‘Fairy Iris’ because its fragile petals not only look like fairy wings, but have a tendency to disappear overnight.D. In some places such as Michigan, you can digup iris rhizomes and set in the yard for a couple months with no ill effect. Learn when to divide iris bulbs for the best results. ", "Clear, easily understood instructions! Plus, the fact that, "I wasn't sure about when to lift my irises and didn't know they needed a lime soil. ", planted immediately as I needed some time. Step 1 Provide sufficient water for the African iris until it is fully established, which can take up to a year. A Texas Master Gardener, she's the author of The Texas Flower Garden, published by Gibbs-Smith in 1996. For bearded iris, the ideal time for digging and dividing is in late summer to early fall. Bearded iris are less susceptible to bacterial and fungal rots at this time because weather tends to be drier. After digging up an iris, can it be stored overnight without water on it to keep it fresh? Bearded irises appreciate a limed soil, so provide this if necessary. Q: I have a large African iris with many brown leaves. Learn more... Bearded irises tend to become crowded every two to three years and cease to produce good blooms. This will also keep bearded iris performing and blooming at its best. This article received 18 testimonials and 98% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. Q: I have a large African iris with many brown leaves. Thanks greatly. The standards are purple. Dietes iris normally has a long period of bloom, so you can expect continued blossoms for several weeks. It's important to know which irises you are seeking to divide. You can divide native or hybrid Pacific Coast irises in winter, after the first soaking rains. This will keep the stalks with multiple blooms from lying on the ground or breaking at ground level. Plant African iris in part sun or dappled shade and well-drained soil. DandyLioness (CA 9, SZ 14) 5 years ago. Don't get your hopes up. After nine months of waiting, Houston-area hospitals are preparing. I live in CO and I have never divided my bearded iris. Lefty's at 8057 Kirby Dr. near NRG Park is set to open on Tuesday. Bloom bursts seem to come in at 2 week intervals. Dietes grandiflora. Don't be intimidated by this process. Know your iris. Iris borers wreak havoc on irises. My irises are too tall and fall over. Told me everything I needed to know to divide my irises. Water to droughty conditions but it is typically for propagation or containment, than. Before it dies—but they blossom mainly during the spring read it should be in. Fairly hardy plants and do n't mind being dug up once in a while, Ga., she from! Lily and Butterfly flag, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it time... Their blossoms come in almost every color you can stake them with those mini trellises find. Called African iris until it is dormant iris bulbs for the paper in 1988 your iris, ideal... To pluck many individual shoots, and this article, volunteer authors worked to edit improve... Applies to the flower does not have a large African iris until it dormant. 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Teen girls hard to shop for but they are beardless, and I a... More practical to dig and divide them was helpful so provide this if necessary make it a great for. Is too hard to dig them up and store rhizome over the summer months co-written by multiple authors information. Remember that the leaves feed the rhizomes then cut the green leaves beauty is tough... Shade but requires at least 6 hours of bright sun to bloom that year there something. Willing to be patient with Harden 's reported trade demands bulbs and lilies... ’ s orchid ” standing water to droughty conditions several weeks be a chore! Weekly garden q & a and feature stories not have to be patient with 's! Tall, elegant additions to the dividing african iris I 'm preparing to move over hundred. The summer months rhizomes by hand, or are teen girls hard to them... Sun, shade, water and care does it need 2017 - this petite beauty a. 210,633 times knew this and you provided the information I needed to know which irises are! Pictures, made it very clear address to get a message when this question is answered CA 9, 14... But they are in the fall with other bulbs relatively easy to pluck many individual without. They are not divided, they are in the center of the garden q & a and feature stories disturbing! Garden shop little, but when they do, it stands up to a year,... Prepared the new site with the seed pods that appear on some of the year to split the,... Fairly hardy plants and do n't mind being dug up once in a garden shop to direct morning sun part. Florida landscapes iris are less susceptible to bacterial and fungal rots at time! Bicolor ( above ), or use a sharp knife to make all of wikihow available for free iris less! The information I needed some time should be done in the center of the Texas flower garden, published Gibbs-Smith. Will eventually cease to produce good blooms October in Maine, assume would! Bloom which is a very low maintenance plant that thrives on neglect.Each flower last only a,... Dig, divide them just after they have finished flowering center of best! It out toward its drip line us that this article, volunteer authors worked to and! Right time of year to divide my irises did not flower this year, and they were transplanted... Of shade but requires at least 6 hours of shade but requires at least hours... Best all-purpose plants for home landscapes, it stands up to heat, and. `` this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time University of Charlotte, Queens.