Can I trim back Small Bearded Iris plants? If I can then when is the best time to do it? I know I can dig some up and transplant them to other areas in my yard but I'm just trying to lessen my clean up for next years spring clearing. I have to rake a lot of the dead leaves from over the winter and I want to know if I can take a hedge clipper to them at Mid Fall so that it is easier on me in the Spring.
Let me know if I'm crazy or not,
Just Getting Started
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Although I never do so, I understand that it's okay to cut the stalk back to within a few inches of the rhizome. Apparently, this is supposed to be done right after the flowers fade, so that the plant won't set seed. If I were to cut an iris back, I don't think I'd cut it shorter than about 3 or 4 inches. The only time I do cut back irises is when I transplant them.
Perhaps it's an old-fashioned technique, but I have always seen iris leaves cut back in an inverted V-shape, never just straight across.
Perhaps it's an old-fashioned technique, but I have always seen iris leaves cut back in an inverted V-shape, never just straight across.
- rainbowgardener
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