I don't know that much about iris, but I believe the best time for digging (and shipping) tall bearded irs is late August-early September. Siberians can be dug in the spring. If you don't get any replies now, try re-posting in mid-summer.

Hi Ontnative,

That appears to be the general consensus but I have never had any luck planting iris in late August . I dont know if it is the clay soil here or what but if i plant iris late summer I find my corms heaved out of the ground come spring. So I do my iris in the spring

Signet

I also plant my iris in the spring just after they bloom. Reblooming iris (German iris i think) should be moved after their second bloom in fall. iris that are moved before blooming usually don't bloom that year. you can try putting a brick on a fall-planted rhizomes to keep it in the ground during winter, but you have to take off the brick in the spring. Iris like sun on their backs :)

I was given a box of iris last year and stupid me forgot to keep the name list that came with it. I can get you some pictures when they bloom if you're interested. I remember one was light blue and had a scent.

Thanks for your replies!

Signet, I too have had the worst luck with iris that I have planted in the fall (and I have clay soil). Last year I planted 4 different varieties, 3 rhizomes each. I see now that only 2 rhizomes in total survived! UGH! I thought if I found some earlier in the year, I would have better luck (that has been my only other iris planting experience and all survived!)

Origami Master - That is a great tip about the brick! I am definitely going to have to try that if I try planting again in the fall. I am totally interested in your offer and hope to hear from you again.

Ontnative - Thanks for your advice. I'll try that if I don't have any luck earlier.

The bulb swap that I'm hosting doesn't have Iris because they are best planted in the fall, to bloom in the Spring.

Most of my named iris are still too new to divide properly. I do have some that are unnamed that I could send you, if you are interested. One type is quite tall (taller than most varieties) and light purple. The other type is somewhat shorter, and is a beautiful pale yellow color.

The brick is a good tip - new iris especially seem to come out of the ground over the winter, and then they'll mold or rot in the Spring wetness.

Anyways, send me an email if you're interested in the irises?