Home > Projects >

How to Divide Early Summer-Flowering Iris

You will need: Fork, Secateurs

There are two main reasons to divide early summer-flowering iris, like Iris germanica: either you want to make more plants and spread them around the garden or you notice that, as they spread, the middle of the clump dies off as it becomes congested. Dividing the clump gives the plants more room to grow and the old, unproductive centre can be discarded.

Best time to do it:

Step 1

Start by lifting the plants with a fork.

Step 2

Wash the roots so you can see where you are working, then identify where the clump can be separated. Each new plant needs a shoot and a portion of the rhizome (underground stem) complete with roots.

Step 3

In order to reduce the stress on the Iris when you plant it, reduce the leaves by two-thirds in a fan shape, using clean, sharp secateurs.

Step 4

Plant the new pieces of Iris with the rhizome on, or only just below, the surface of the soil. This is because the plant will not flower if the rhizome fails to get receive enough sunlight in summer. Water well to settle the plants into the soil again.

Related FAQs

Ask a gardening question:

Latest Gardening News

Hosepipe Bans Continue Across Southern England

Autumn Estate Tractor and Trailer Tours launched at Blenheim Palace

Give the Gift of Nourishment to Garden Birds This Christmas With Peckish and Gardman

Essential Gardening Jobs for Late Summer

Gardening Projects for December

---

How to Make a Bird Feeder

How to: Maintenance Pruning

How to clean your pots

How to take Hardwood Cuttings

Latest Gardening Videos

---

How do I protect container plants from the cold?

Why are there brown / black marks on my Hellebores?

Five Essential Tips for Growing Lemons

When and how should I prune a jostaberry?

Moving House and Taking the Garden with You | Garden Ideas | Val Bradley

How to Grow Orchids

All Videos

Explore Gardens from Around the World

Villa d'Este Gardens
Tivoli, Italy

Powerscourt Gardens
Enniskerry, Co. Wicklow, Ireland

Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Sydney, Australia

Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Cape Town, South Africa

Monet's Garden, Giverny
Giverny, France

Kenrokuen Garden
Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan