How to Prune an African Iris Fortnight Lily
African irises (Dietes iridioides), also known as fortnight lilies, are tender perennials hardy to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In climates where they are hardy, African irises typically bloom for two-week intervals throughout much of the year. In cooler climates, they bloom during the warmer months and are stored indoors for the winter. To care for your African irises properly, a little pruning here and there will be needed to keep the plants clean and blooming well. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Prune off old flower stalks that are no longer producing flowers. Cut them back to the base of the plant with hand clippers.
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Cut off dying flowers or seed heads just underneath to encourage African irises to continue flowering.
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Trim off old or damaged foliage as needed. Cut them back to the base of the plant with pruning shears.
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Prune to reduce the size of the plant in the late winter, if desired, in climates where African irises are hardy. Cut off selected foliage to the base of the plant. If you cut off too much that the plant now looks unattractive, don’t fret -- African irises grow back in time.
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Cut off all the African iris foliage in the fall when it yellows and dies in cooler climates. Store the rhizomes indoors in peat moss for the winter.
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References
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