How do you cut back iris plants?

Answer by  GucciLuLu (26)

After the iris blooms, cut the stems close to the ground. In late fall or early winter, cut healthy leaves to approximately 6 inches.

Answer by  thewindrose (642)

Only prune back the flower stem after it has bloomed. You do not want to cut back iris leaves, or they may not bloom next year. To thin plants, dig up the rhizome instead. It will be very close to the top of the soil. Then you can transplant them or give them away!

Answer by  Valentine62 (2131)

The easiest way is to mow them off in the fall when the leaves die. If mowing is not an option, cut them to the ground with clippers or sharp scissors and they will return in the spring. Iris's produce new bulbs underground and will fill in a flowerbed, eventually.

Answer by  SallyJ (1010)

After the first hard frost of autumn, you should cut back the leaves to about 6 inches. To protect the plants from freezing, mulch the earth around their roots.

Answer by  mahes (32209)

You should cut them back right after they finish blooming. Only cut back the stem that the flowers were on , unless you have any tattered or dead leaves. rim only dead or injured leaves and cut off the flower stalks.

Answer by  May76 (19)

The best way to control iris plants is to divide the roots. You can replant them in your garden or give as a gift. Planting needs to be done in late summer or early fall. Just lie the roots along the ground and cover with dirt. Firmly press the ground after planting and give a little water.

Answer by  lorel (274)

At the end of the summer, the plants should be prepared for the winter by cutting the leaves back to about four or five inch fans. Clear out all the dead foliage. If the rhizomes are overcrowded and "bubbling up" out of the ground, dig them up, thin, and then replant. Give the excess rhizomes to friends.

Answer by  wammes123 (33)

You can cut your iris plans back after the flowering. ut of the dead flowers but leave the green leafs till they die away. Then cover them in winter with some dead leaves