Iris Care

Before

Now that my Iris blooms are done they have started the process of going to seed; I like to cut off the blooms at this point. My reasons are not only to keep them looking nice, but more importantly cutting the spent blooms keeps them from going to seed. Plants use a tremendous amount of energy producing seeds, cutting the dried blooms gives them some longevity. Iris growers will cut some of the spent blooms leaving other to see if they have a new variety. Remember that seeds don’t always give you exact copy, this is due to pollination. 

Cleaned of spent blooms 

I have left the leaves, please don’t cut yours. The two reasons are the leaf needs to drain the energy and nutrients into the rhizome for next year’s bloom, and the tall leaf will help hold any moisture in the ground longer.

Cut along the stem under all the blooms 

It may seem time consuming but I promise it only took me one hour and fifteen minutes to clean this large bed and 2 smaller beds. It is also a great time to pull any weeds while you are deadheading.