How to Move Iris Plants
Irises come in hundreds of varieties, sizes and colors. A popular perennial that requires only moderate care, the iris is coveted by many as a superb cut flower that will often last in a vase for two weeks. The iris is a vigorous growing plant that tends to spread quite fast. These abundant growth habits eventually force the gardener to divide, move and transplant the irises to a new location as the plant begins to outspread its location. Irises can be divided at any time of year but the best time is late July or August. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Gloves
- Shovel
- Peat moss
- Trowel
- Rubbing alcohol
- Sharp knife
- All-purpose water-soluble fertilizer
Instructions
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1
Decide on the best location for your transplanted Irises. Irises prefer full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
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2
Prepare the new location where you will transplant your Irises to. Dig a hole using your hand trowel that is 4 inches deep.
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3
Take the dirt from the new hole and mix 50 percent peat moss with the garden. This will add valuable nutrients to help the transplanted irises adjust to their new soil.
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4
Gently begin to dig up the irises to move and transplant. Irises spread by thick roots known as rhizomes. Break through the thick rhizomes using a shovel where you wish the division of the plant to take place.
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Shake the dirt off the rhizomes and begin to divide them into sections by hand using a sharp alcohol-disinfected knife. They will look like a twisted potato. Choose rhizomes that contain a little root hanging off them and even a bit of foliage to transplant. Trim foliage back by a third on the iris you are transplanting if it has foliage attached.
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Place the rhizome you wish to transplant into the new hole. If planting more then one rhizome, space each rhizome hole out by 24 inches so each iris will have ample space to grow outward.
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Gently cover the rhizome with the soil and peat moss mixture. Pat it down with your hand to firm the soil. If there is a bit of foliage on the rhizome make sure it is up in the air and out of the garden soil.
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Water the transplanted iris rhizome thoroughly. Keep the rhizome moist but not wet until you see new growth. Once new growth is detected, fertilize the iris using an all- purpose water-soluble fertilizer that you can purchase at a garden store. Follow the directions on the label for fertilizer application.
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Tips & Warnings
Place 2 inches of pure peat moss mulch over the newly transplanted iris rhizomes to help maintain the moisture level and keep back weeds.
Irises look best when planted in groups but give each plant enough space to spread over time so you can cut back on the years you will need to transplant.
Irises are quite drought tolerant once established but keep garden soil moist to the touch until the transplants have time to adjust to their new location.
Transplanting an iris in the fall will make it fail to bloom the following year.
Check each rhizome for a pest known as an iris borer. This is a brown moth which lays its eggs on iris leaves. The larvae than hatch and bore into the rhizomes, causing damage and eventual death to the iris. Look for soft mushy spots or tiny pink caterpillars on the rhizomes. Discard any infected rhizomes.
