How to Divide and Transplant Bearded Irises

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Irises are a beautiful spring flower. Full of different colors and an amazing fragrance, they are the envy of every gardener. Unlike Dutch irises that grow from bulbs, bearded irises grow from tuberous roots. The roots multiply quickly, which means they need to be thinned and divided every so often.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

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If you do not have any irises, you can buy a plant from your local nursery and plant it. Soon it will be an established blooming plant. However, when you have established irises or know someone who does, they need to be transplanted and split every three to five years for optimal blooms.

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After the flowers are done blooming for the season, they can easily be divided and transplanted so you can enjoy them throughout your yard. These simple steps will help you split your irises and create beautiful new flowers for seasons to come.

Things You'll Need

  • Established irises

  • Shovel

  • Water

Step 1

Dig up the established irises, making sure to dig out the entire root.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer
Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Tip

Established irises create a network of tuberous-like roots, so you'll need to separate them into individual plants.

Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 2

Separate the roots into individual plants. The roots may have grown together while in the soil, so it's important to divide each iris into a separate unit.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer
Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 3

Remove any rotten roots and dead leaves. Getting rid of dead leaves ensures the roots have healthy leaves on which to thrive.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 4

Wash off the roots and check for blemishes or additional rotten spots. Sometimes it's easiest to spot any rot in the roots once they've been washed.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 5

Dig a shallow hole for the transplants. Place the tuberous roots in the hole, making sure to space them a few inches apart so the roots have plenty of room to expand.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer
Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 6

Cover with soil and lightly pack the soil over the roots.

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Image Credit: Joel Kratzer
Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Step 7

Water as needed until the plants are established and new leaves begin to grow.

Image Credit: Joel Kratzer

Next year, you will enjoy a garden full of blooming irises!

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