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Dividing Siberian Iris

xtreme_gardener

17 years ago

My 3 year old siberian iris is finally going to bloom for me this year- it's loaded with buds!. It's big enough to probably split 3 or 4 ways and I'd like to move it this year to my new perennial bed.

My question is: Do I treat it like regular iris's and split it right after it's bloomed? Or should I do it now before the buds start opening?

It's my first one so I don't know how long it will bloom for and I don't like to leave transplanting too late in the season.

Thanks for any help, Toots

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Comments (6)

northspruce
17 years ago
Wait till it's done flowering Toots, it won't be more than a week or two. I have one that is finally getting big enough to divide too - it was really slow at first.
sierra_z2b
17 years ago
I have several siberian iris. Its best to divide them after they finish flowering. However, I just moved a couple and divided them them when they were full of buds. The one plant started opening the next day. LOL. The other one took a couple days. I don't recommend dividing when they are in bud though.

I have also found that they need to be divided every year once they get established. They grow in a circle with a bare spot in the middle if not divided. The ones in my garden can usually be divided into 3 or 4 large size clumps.

Sierra
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Liriope: Definitely divide now. Since it's a fall bloomer, blooms won't be affected. Trim it back same as you would every spring, then divide. Siberian iris: Up to you - can do it now or after blooming. If you do it now, you will probably sacrifice bloom BUT if it were me, I would do it now before it puts on much top growth because, (a) it is easier to deal with, and, (b) the foliage is going to look way better than it will if you chop it up in the middle of the season. #b is a huge issue for me - good-looking foliage is high on my priority list.
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The iris will do OK if you divide them in late summer or early fall....but they will do better if you divide them right after they bloom. All I know says that spring is the best time to plant all varieties. But you are wanting to know when is best to dig up what you have... Probably they would be happiest in their new home if you dug them in early spring, but you would sacrifice this year's bloom. So...divide them right after they bloom for best results. Linda C
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Siberians are tough as nails. Although conventional wisdom usually dictates fall, I've never had a failure doing it any time the need to arose. Been an unusually cold and wet spring, first days of summer here, too, and the Siberians are still blooming. I'd at least wait until the blooming's over if that's the case with yours, too... and cut down the stalks and trim back the foliage a bit to make digging up, handling, and dividing easier. Be sure to have a sharp shovel - I've occasionaly had to separate a big clump of them with a pruning saw. Prepare their new spot in advance and water them in.
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xtreme_gardener
Original Author
17 years ago
Ok I'll wait. I can't wait to see them bloom!
Thanks, Toots
cailinriley
17 years ago
I've never had much luck with Siberian Irises. I usually get the slow growing, non-blooming variety. LOL

What's the secret? I've read, recently, that they like a slightly acidic soil. They also like a fair amount of moisture, right? And full sun? Any feeding needed?

I love the Siberians and I SO want to grow them well. Any tips would be gratefully accepted! Oh, and photos, please, so I can get really jealous!!
northspruce
17 years ago
Doris, I only have one Siberian (Butter & Sugar, it's not that exciting) and it is really slow growing. I got one bloom out of it the first two years, 2 blooms last year, and maybe 10 or so this year. It formed a nice sized clump last year, maybe because of all the rain. They really do like being wet. And they need full sun too. Here it is this year:
{{gwi:698836}}
This was last year, the yellow showed better in the photo:

It's nothing special but it's a dainty little thing and goes well with roses.
xtreme_gardener
Original Author
17 years ago
Ooooh, I like that one. What do you mean it's nothing special! (Shhhh, it might hear you. Tsk tsk!) Mine looks like it will be purple.

Do you think the new clumps I seperate this season will bloom for me next year? Just wondering because they sound rather stuborn. Ooops, I mean strong willed! LOL.

Doris,
I've never looked into their specific needs. I got my clump about 4 years ago from a neighbor and have moved it once in that time but have never seperated it. This is its first year to bloom. Both locations were in full sun but on the dryer side of perfect and likely had similar pH - about 6.5.
Toots

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