How To Clean Up and Care for Bearded Iris in Spring

How do you care for bearded iris as they come out of dormancy in spring? Catherine Moravec, Horticulturist with Colorado Yard Care, demonstrates how to remove the old leaves and flowering iris stems without damaging the new growth in spring. She also discusses how to care for iris in summer, including when to divide iris in Colorado and whether or not to mulch them.

[@suzimanthorpe619]

Please do a video on when and how to split your beautiful iris.

[@OrchidandKitties]

good video.I clean my iris exactly like this.they multiply very fast too.very easy to have them in the garden.

[@lynhodge8685]

Thank you! I was about to add too much soil. But mine are huge.. this fall i definitely have to divide.

[@DrewSkii10]

Can't believe I didn't see this, thank you so very helpful Catherine :) mulching is a good idea. By the way where did you get your gloves? In love with them!

[@catherinemoravec1648]

I got these gloves from a friend who bought one of those big packs at Costco! She was generous enough to give me a pair. Thanks for the kind comment. :)

[@SB7698]

Those gardening gloves with plastic claws on them work sooooo good for this! I have them just for the purpose of cleaning up irises.

[@doniellestenson3502]

Clean up in fall.That way pests and disease do not overwinter in the bed.

[@catherinemoravec1648]

Good point. Where I live it is very dry so we don't end up with a lot of insect or disease problems. That's why we clean up irises in spring. I appreciate you sharing the experience from your area!

[@stevekrause5931]

Be sure to use gloves when removing old leaves. Otherwise, you'll get slivers like I did.

[@SB7698]

Ugh I just did that today and I know better but I did it anyway and got a sliver under my finger nail. 😖

[@stevekrause5931]

@@SB7698 Sorry to hear. I guess we learned the hard way! :-)