When to move / divide Iris reticulata

When we first moved here, I made the mistake of planting a lovely dark purple iris reticulata on the far side of a flower bed. So we cannot see it from inside the house. One thing I've learned - all flowers that need to be appreciated from January-end March need to be planted where we can enjoy them from indoors!

The clump has now filled out a little. I think there are 5-6 flowers coming up from the clump. When would you lift the clump, to re-plant somewhere within sight of the house? Would you divide the clump into 2? 3? Or individual bulbs/corms?

 

Mine only last a year in pots then never come back so you must be doing well!

 

Hi Sian,

Around another months time is ideal to move them as they'll be in full leaf then. Personally i would replant in three's and then let them spread.

 

I have very free-draining soil, and it's on quite a steep slope (south-west facing), if that helps...

 

I divide iris after flowering but when the weather is warmer; prob on average in May. Then the cut rhizomes will heal so much more quickly. I plant some divisions in 5 litre pots, leave them in full sun and plant out again in autumn or the following spring. Works well for me.

I prefer them grown as single plants, as feature or dot plants. Grow them in groups by all means but remember there will be nothing else of interest there after flowering. Individuals can be effectively disguised with other plants in summer yet will produce plenty of flowers next year.

Yes Sian, the free draining soil and slope will help flowering Yes I would divide but into generous portions and plant some where you would like to see them.
Gardening is about trying out things.....as long as the rhizomes are in a sunny spot so try it

Mark, I think they are better in the ground. Are your pots in the shade; do they get too wet? Iris usually are free flowering and easy plants to satisfy I think

 

Sorry Verdun , you are talking about completely diffferent plants.

Iris Reticulata are bulbs Do Not cut them.

A 3 inch pot will easily hold 3 or 5 bulbs if you want to grow them in pots.

 

Oops! You are correct KFF. A busy, hectic day and I misread the thread. No, do not cut the bulbs.
I have Jane Phillips (not totally sure of the name since it was given to me a long time ago) flowering now....always reliably flowers at this time of year.
Thanks again KFF.........only testing of course

 

Early Autumn would be the best for lifting and separating the bulbs.

 

The trouble is, finding them in early autumn...!

 

They're best done " in the green " same as Snowdrops, Bluebells, Aconites etc.

 

Not like other Spring bulbs then, such as crocus/daffs?

 

Nah " M" , with Daffodils etc it doesn't matter if they dry out a little but if Iris etc dry out they shrivel and die off altogether.

 

Generally with bulbs, I leave them until 6 weeks after flowering, and then, if they need to be divided, I do it then. This way the leaves had had some time to re-stock the bulbs, and you can still see where they are! I tried using a stick to mark a clump needing dividing, but I invariably "tidy it away" some time in the summer, whilst weeding...

I haven't managed to grow Iris reticulata so successfully before, so have never needed to divide them - hence I thought to check with those who have!!