No perennial garden would be complete without a few specimens of bearded iris [1] - the truly regal beauties of the early summer garden. Available in a wide range of color, they are easy to grow and hardy for our growing zone conditions. But like many perennials, they perform better if they are divided every third or fourth year.

The best time to lift and divide the plants is in August when they experience a slow down in growth, sometimes referred to as summer dormancy. Be sure to replant them by Labor Day. This gives the iris adequate time to become reestablished before cold weather begins.

Dig up the entire plant, keeping as many as possible of the large feeder roots intact. Loosen the soil around the rhizome, and using a sharp knife, separate the rhizomes into individual fans [2]. Discard the bloomed out center sections, keeping only the vigorous healthy fans from the outside of the clump. Trim back the leaves to six inches.

To replant the individual fans, dig a shallow hole. This is a good time to improve the soil structure by adding some compost or peat moss to the planting area. Leave a ridge in the center of the hole and place the rhizome over this ridge spreading the roots out on either side [3]. Cover with soil making sure that the rhizome is just barely below the soil surface. Water well, and keep the area moist, not wet!, until the soil begins to freeze. For the first winter you may want to provide the new plantings with a protective covering of mulch, such as straw.