Return to the Perennials Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by sara82lee 8a - SE Va (My Page) on
Tue, May 27, 14 at 22:03

My Siberian iris finished blooming last week. I have four large clumps that I just divided last year, and they came back this year bigger than ever! I'd like to put off dividing them again for another year. I feel like one needs a chain saw to get through those roots!

Anyway, if I don't divide them and pare them down some, they are starting to crowd things planted in between them. Can I trim the leaves down just a little bit (maybe take off 6 inches)? Even that much I feel would allow the other plants a lot more room to grow.

Thanks! Sara

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

yes

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
  • Posted by mxk3 z5b/6 MI (My Page) on
    Wed, May 28, 14 at 7:35

I think you probably could trim them a bit, but I'd be afraid you'd ruin the gracefulness of the leaves by giving them a haircut this time of year.

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

I leave the foliage to get a bit brown and tatty then whip it all off - the only foliage which looks well over the summer is the Dalmatian iris pallida variegata which maintains its cool freshness throughout the season. Brown and dying foliage has done its job for this year and just annoys me looking sordid. The iris don't seem to mind at all....although I pull the old leaves rather than cutting them back....when dead, they come out cleanly and easily

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Several years ago I cut half of mine almost to the ground to allow other plants to show and then left the other half uncut. I made a note to check blooms the next year - absolutely no difference.

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thanks everyone! That's very helpful. I've decided to do it. Already trimmed one clump and I am very happy with how it looks.

o
RE: Can I trim Siberian iris leaves?

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

One of the reasons I grow Siberians is for the foliage, which not only stays lovey through the summer but turns a good yellow in the fall. I wouldn't want to cut mine, even though it's such a pain to cut out the old bloom stalks.

o Post a Follow-Up

Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum.

    If you are a member, please log in.

    If you aren't yet a member, join now!

Return to the Perennials Forum

Information about Posting

  • You must be logged in to post a message. Once you are logged in, a posting window will appear at the bottom of the messages. If you are not a member, please register for an account.
  • Please review our Rules of Play before posting.
  • Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review your post, make changes and upload photos.
  • After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
  • Before posting copyrighted material, please read about Copyright and Fair Use.
  • We have a strict no-advertising policy!
  • If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
  • If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.


Learn more about in-text links on this page here