How to Divide and Care for Bearded Iris

By Marie Iannotti, About.com Guide

Once the rhizomes are clean, cut the foliage to about 6 inches. Cutting the fan of leaves connected to a lifted iris rhizome makes the plant easier to work with when dividing and replanting and helps prevent water loss while the plant is becoming re-established. The fan does not need to be cut symmetrically. Some leaves may be damaged and will need to be cut shorter than 6 inches. The leaves will start to grow back, with the middle leaf growing tallest.

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• Carefully Dig and Lift the Bearded Iris Rhizomes
• Clean off All Soil Clinging to the Bearded Iris Rhizomes
• Cut the Bearded Iris leaves to about 6 inches
• Inspect the Bearded Iris Rhizomes for Borer Damage and Soft Rot
• Dividing Your Bearded Iris
• Getting the Garden Ready to Re-plant Bearded Iris Divisions
• Re-planting Bearded Iris Divisions

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