Old, Dead Leaves
During the growing season, the older outside leaves will brown and wither. Remove them promptly
and new leaves will replace them. In the fall be sure to remove all dead leaves to avoid over wintering insects and disease.

Removing Flower Stalks About a week or two after your Iris has finished flowering, snap the flower stalk off at the base. Grab hold of the stalk near the bottom and bend forward towards the "nose" of the rhizome. A little unnerving the first time! Just go to it; it‘s easy.
Bend Stalk Forward	Snap It Off	Nice Clean Break

Dividing Every 3-4 years, in late July, dig up the clump and divide the rhizomes. Cut off the larger, healthy outer rhizomes. Throw out the old mother rhizome. She won't bloom again. Trim the outer leaves to about 6" to 10" long. You will have lots for your friends and family. If you need a little help, come by or E-mail us in mid-summer and we will explain how. P.S., they make great hostess gifts.
Expose the clump	Divide the rhizomes	Five New Plants

Fertilizing
Bearded Iris thrive with a minimum of fertilizer so most soils are more than adequate for good growth. If your plants need fertilizing do not use manure or high-nitrogen fertilizers which can promote soft growth that is apt to rot. Bone meal worked into the soil before planting is good; superphosphate is another good fertilizer. On established plants, a low nitrogen or balanced lawn fertilizer works well when applied in the spring about one month before bloom. Sprinkle on the ground around the plants, not on the Iris rhizome. Water in well.

Alfalfa pellets have been widely recommended as a fertilizer and organic soil conditioner. They are available as rabbit and horse pellets from farm-feed stores such as the Co-Op. We have been mixing the pellets into the soil when planting new beds or as a light top-dressing around each established clump. About a cupful will do it.
        TIP!! If you decide to try alfalfa, ask the supplier if it
        is available in meal form. Mixes in the soil very nicely.

Winter Heaving
In our climate zone we typically experience freeze - thaw cycles mid-winter. These temperature swings can result in heaving, particularly with newly-planted Iris rhizomes whose roots are not yet well established.

Winter Mulch A thick covering of weed free straw or a light covering of sand, or evergreen bough mulch would be beneficial, particularly to new plantings, after the ground freezes. Dry Oak and Beech leaves are good coverings since they do not pack down. Do not use other types of leaves such as Maple since they are slimy and prevent air circulation.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to remove all mulches in early spring before new growth begins.

Newly (First Year) Planted Rhizomes Vanessa is covering a recent introduction, Easter Candy, with about 9" of weed-free straw.

First Year Planted Bed Here we have covered the entire newly planted bed with straw. In the spring the straw will be raked in between the rows to help act as a weed barrier.

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