As it turned out, I didn't plant new bearded irises as I moved the 5 that were not thriving in another part of the garden into my new bed instead. They have settled very well into their new home - one even flowered which I did not expect. Advice seems to be to divide at their age, which I am reluctant to do with only having moved them in Spring. Am I right to leave this, although they have put on good growth? Also, if I don't move them, should I still cut back the leaves as advised to do after dividing? Advice would be very welcome as always!
Wait until next year to divide. It's not an exact science re dividing, it's just that from around 3 years, they become less productive. The fact that yours are now thriving shows they're in a better site, and are probably just getting to the stage they should have been at a year or two ago, so they will be fine until next spring.
I'm slightly confused by your last question though. You're asking if you don't move them, should you cut back foliage - but you have moved them! Cutting back of foliage is done when you're dividing plants, because too much foliage puts unnecessary stress on roots trying to establish. It's the same as moving any plant when in growth. Iris can be tricky too because the rhizome is less stable than a plant with a conventional root system. It can often be handy to push a couple of small canes, with a bit of string encircling them, in beside the division, when potting them up, just until they get rooted properly
It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Sorry @Fairygirl - I meant should I cut the leaves back if I'm not dividing them! I will leave them alone until next Spring and then divide and cut them back - it's just good to see them doing well finally.
No - the leaves are attractive in themselves with their long, pointed sword shape and willl look odd clipped. In addition, the rhizomes need a full leaf surface to build up and store energy for next year's flowers. You only cut the leaves back for stability after division, as @Fairygirl has explained.
Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
"The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
Thanks @Obelixx - I will leave them alone this year. I agree that the leaves are attractive, but didn't know about the rhizomes needing the full leaf surface for energy - though it does make sense!
Unfortunately, I failed to divide my bearded irises after flowering earlier this year - no excuses, I just didn't get round to it. My question now is, can I divide them this Autumn or do I have to wait until after they've flowered next year (assuming they do!)?
I think the general guideline is 8-10 weeks after bloom at a minimum. You can certainly do it later, which allows the rhizomes to store up more energy from the leaves. I've divided in October after an early May bloom and it was fine (in USDA zone 6). The kind I grew (maybe 'Cristabel') had been in the yard for at least 50 years with nearly total neglect, so I think it would have taken more imagination to kill them than I could provide.
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I'm slightly confused by your last question though. You're asking if you don't move them, should you cut back foliage - but you have moved them!
Cutting back of foliage is done when you're dividing plants, because too much foliage puts unnecessary stress on roots trying to establish. It's the same as moving any plant when in growth. Iris can be tricky too because the rhizome is less stable than a plant with a conventional root system. It can often be handy to push a couple of small canes, with a bit of string encircling them, in beside the division, when potting them up, just until they get rooted properly
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...