If you’re like me, you love the tall elegance and the wow factor of the super-large bloom of the Bearded Iris. A pretty girl, but also high maintenance to keep her bloom at her fullest, and to do so you want to make sure you divide the rhizomes every 3 years or so. If left undivided, her flowering capability will be poor at best, or even not at all. August is the perfect time to do this, while the soil is still warm but the air is cooler, and especially now if they’ve become overcrowded and after you’ve enjoyed the flowers all summer.

You want to dig around the base of the plant about 1 foot with a spading shovel taking care not to pierce or cut the rhizome. You don’t have to go too deep because they grow primarily at soil level and you’ll find them very easy to lift. Then you want to shake off any loose dirt and rinse the roots clean with water.

Now to divide. You don’t want to break them apart, but simply separate them where they naturally want to, making sure that each section has a fan of leaves, at least three inches of rhizome and several roots growing from it. Discard any leafless rhizomes. Then you want to cut the foliage back to about 6 inches above the rhizomes.

Next inspect the rhizome for two common problems: borer damage (small to medium holes) and any soft spots called soft rot. These are easy to take care of with a pair of pruners by just removing those areas of the rhizome. If you have soft spot, this spreads easily so take care to disinfect your pruners after every cut.

When you replant, find a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of full sun each day and dig a hole 3 inches deep with a little mound in the middle and wide enough to spread out the roots. Soak the soil. Center the plant on the mound with the roots spread down the surrounding trench, then cover with only 1-2 inches of soil (you should be able to see the rhizome if you lightly brush the soil with your fingertip). Remember that this plant like to be near soil level and any deeper will encourage rot. Firm the soil around the plant to eliminate any air pockets. Lastl, water well and for the next couple of weeks until you notice new growth.

For the nicest display of this flower, I like to plant three rhizomes of one variety in a pretty grouping with room to breathe (about 12-24 inches apart unless they are dwarf irises and can be planted closer), making sure to point each of the fan leaves away from the other irises in the group

NOTE: August is the perfect month for planting them too if you would like to add them to your garden for next year!