How to Transplant Iris Bulbs

Iris plants are beautiful flowers that bloom around Easter. They come in a variety of colors with long green leaves. Irises are a perennial plant and will multiply each year when they start growing again in the spring. The bulbs look kind of like a potato or a bunch of potatoes under the ground. If the irises in the garden are getting too big, a new garden bed can be started by dividing and transplanting some of the bulbs.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shovel
• Gloves
• Garden shears

1. Cut the green leaves on all the iris plants to about 2 inches high in the fall. It is not recommended to divide or transplant the plants during the blooming season.

2. Place the shovel in the middle of the plants where you want to remove parts of the plant. Step on the shovel very firmly to slice through the potato bulbs. It is OK to cut through the bulbs.

3. 
   Iris bulb and roots

   Remove the section of bulbs and green leaves.

4. Dig a new hole in the desired area, making sure that the hole is deep and wide enough to accommodate the bulbs.

5. Fill the dirt around the bulb and to just under the green leaves. Water well. Iris plants are hardy and this will not hurt them.

6. Repeat as necessary or desired. In the spring, these new plants may not bloom, but the plants leaves will grow. It usually takes 2 years for transplanted plants to bloom again.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix and match flower colors.

Resources

• Iris bulbs and supplies