Re:cutting back iris
- Subject: Re:cutting back iris
- From: n*@charter.net
- Date: Tue, 22 May 2001 22:45:41 -0000
--- In iris-talk@y..., pryrpower@a... wrote:
> I am a new iris grower and I have question. This will probably seem
like a silly question ....I have been told to cut back the stems
after blooming by some gardeners and not to by others. Which is the
best procedure?
No question is silly if one needs to know the answer.
Dead and dried out bloomstalks do little to enhance the appearance of
your garden. Simplest and fastest way to take them out is to "pop"
them off at the base--just bend the stalk sharply over and it will
snap off--if the rhizome is solidly anchored. If it's not--you may
end up with a rhizome in your hand. Sooo---safest is a sharp knife,
slice the bloomstalk through near its base. With either method
it's a good idea to have a wheelbarrow or trash basket along to drop
the spent stalks into.
Some people trim the foliage back. That may be what some of your
advisors told you NOT to do. Cutting off leaves hurts the plant!
Healthy leaves are part of the life cycle of the plant--you will
reduce bloom and vigor if you lose your foliage. The only thing to
remove is diseased or damaged leaves.
There's lots of good information--and links to gardens and growers--
at the American Iris Society web site. You might enjoy checking out:
www.irises.org
You might find joining the society worth your while too. Happy
irising!
Neil Mogensen zone 7a near Asheville, NC
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