The best time to dig up and divide irises is in late August, after they have finished growing for the year.  By then they have set new fans which will bloom next year.  Usually, they will bloom in the new location the following year after they establish themselves with a good root system. 

 

Ron ~ zone 6b ~ Ontario

You should definitely wait. Here's why: last year someone du g up some irises and sent them to me -- some still with their foliage on them....She dug them up before they would have bloomed. They didn't bloom last year, but the foliage continued to grow -- in fact, I had green on irises pretty much all winter. Now they are blooming.....I imagine though, that had they not been dug up last year when they were, they would have bloomed.

Susan, the Texas Yankee, the Texas Rangerette and the Assistant Administrator

SKBeal's Snazzy Tra

Ok,then i will wait untill they bloom,then move them.Thanks Dizzy

Kris

With irises, Dale is spot on about letting them bloom first (that way you also know the colors/types), and when you do transplant/divide them, make sure you don't plant them too deep - I found out the hard way - When they are disturbed or moved, it may take them up to 2 years to stop pouting and bloom again. Most irises do like damp areas so that shouldn't hurt them as long as the crowns are above the soil line.

The best thing I read on them, said to make a small mound, set the iris tuber on top, with the roots running down the sides, and cover only the roots with soil, not the tuber running to the crown.

 

DizzyD %-}                   

  Lavender Poppy

That's what i thought to,but they dont look so good,but we have had alot of rain here lately.Thanks Dale.

 

Kris

 

 

You can but you take a chance.  Best time to move is after they bloom.  I like to transplant them early fall.  Dale