Q.Dividing Tall Bearded Iris
We have a garden of tall bearded iris plants that should have been divided years ago. We are redoing the landscaping and would like to keep some of them. Can we divide them while keeping part of the plant in the ground? We don’t want to wait until July/August since we are redoing the garden and we still want them to bloom this spring. If this is possible, how do we do this? Thanks so much.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It may be possible to take a spade shovel and split sections of the plant while it's still in the ground, though it may be better to pop up the entire clump and then replant it once you have divided it, while transplanting the other sections elsewhere in the landscape. You can do this in spring, but make sure to keep the new plantings watered. Also, keep in mind that it could affect the flowering for this season. Here is more information that should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/bulbs/iris/divide-bearded-irises.htm
