Iris germanica 'Honey Glazed' - time to divide this summer?

yarrow2 · June 2021

This was one stem in a pot 4 years ago. They've grown beautifully in this spot but this year the stems are slightly bending outwards adopting a bowl shape rather than being erect - and every bug in town is enjoying and living in them. You can see most of the new flowers are rotting away as they open. I'm wondering if this is an indication that it's time to divide this clump this summer (?) and the bugs are taking advantage of weakness - or are the rotting blooms something to do with the spiders who seem to be living inside them and every bug all over them? I resorted to slug pellets (supposedly organic) which I don't like, but a colony of snails also have latched on and will not be put off! Any observations and advice greatly welcomed.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/72/l581jsjrdd8x.jpg

Photo 1 clump Iris germanica Honey Glazed

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/na/ywn842d5y3ft.jpg

Photo 2 Middle of the clump showing corms(?)

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6030279/uploads/editor/4t/w7oremk21hqr.jpg

Photo 3 Base

Photo 4 Indulging craneflies - but shows new blooms shrivelling etc

Photo 5 - spiders present in every opening bloom.

Lizzie27 · June 2021

Those type of irises need dividing every 2-3 years. They also need deadheading on a daily basis ( just snap the gone over heads off). This helps to keep insects/snails/slugs away from the rotting bits and looks much better. I wouldn't worry about the spiders, they are harmless.
Love the colour.

yarrow2 · June 2021

Thanks so much Lizzie27. I'll get snapping off and will divide when flowering over.

Iris germanica 'Honey Glazed' - time to divide this summer?

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