Divide your bearded iris now

Most perennials are divided in spring or fall, but bearded iris prefer division in summer. On this week's episode of the Gardening Tips podcast, the Chicago Botanic Garden's Jacob Burns talks about how to care for bearded iris.

A classic perennial, bearded iris are prized for their showy and characteristic flowers, from late spring to early summer. They often lose vigor in three to five years so division is needed to keep them fresh.

Bearded iris requires six weeks to establish before the ground freezes so now is an ideal time to make divisions. Start by digging the clumps out of the ground and trimming the foliage by 1/3 the original height. Begin to separate the rhizomes, or fleshy roots, discarding any unproductive inner portions that no longer produce foliage.

Destroy any with signs of rot or pesky Iris borers. Save the outer healthy portions of rhizome that include a fan of three to four leaves each. Replant bearded iris about 12 to 24 inches apart, keeping the top of the rhizome exposed at the soil surface.

Every Saturday, listen to a new episode of the Gardening Tips podcast for timely tips on all things plants, gardens and the great outdoors. Look for the latest episode here.

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