How To Transplant Iris? - DutchGrown™

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Learn About Transplanting Iris and Enjoy Jewel-Like Color, Season After Season

With their elegant orchid-like blooms in a spectrum of gorgeous hues, it’s easy to see why iris are named after the goddess of the rainbow. Learn how to transplant iris and increase your stock of these stunning fall-planted flower bulbs.

Transplanting Iris: When to Transplant Dwarf Iris

Dwarf iris will naturalize and gradually spread, blooming year after year. If they stop producing blooms, it’s probably because they have become overcrowded. Lift the bulbs in summer after the foliage has withered and pulls away easily. Separate them, discarding any damaged ones and store in a cool dry place before replanting them in the fall. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil.

Transplanting Iris: Dutch Iris

While many gardeners treat Dutch iris as annual plants and buy fresh bulbs every fall, they will often naturalize and bloom again the following spring. If Dutch iris become overcrowded, the best time for transplanting iris bulbs is in the early fall after the foliage has died back completely. Choose a sunny spot to replant the bulbs and if the soil is likely to become waterlogged, it is advisable to add a layer of compost to improve drainage.

Transplanting Iris: Bearded Iris

The best time to transplant bearded iris is from July through September. Cut the sword-like foliage back to 2” -3 “, then dig up the rhizomes and cut off the new growths that branch off from the main root. Replant them shallowly in your sunniest bed or border; you should be just able to see the tops of the rhizomes above the soil. Now that you know how to transplant your iris, all you have to do is to choose your favorite types. Discover carefully selected varieties and look out for our exquisite Elite iris bulbs when you explore our iris collection.

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