When to cut back Iris?

Irises use their leaves to continue feeding itself after the blooms are gone. You need to wait until they are completely withered and finished for the year before you cut them down. You do not want to damage the bulbs under the soil but cutting off its supply of sunlight and growth.

Do not Cut them!!! They continue to draw energy from the sun. And as Lenora said... they continue to feed (they are still very alive) I have seen master gardeners fold the plant in halves or thirds, wrap in a rubber band or twine so that it is now neat and tidy.......then it continues to thrive and actually reproduce. Some irises are pricey. It's nice to see them make babies!

Once Theyre Done Blooming Or When Youre Ready Just Cut Them Down. Theyll Come Back Again In Spring.

I leave mine all winter. I clean them out in the spring. Unless there is a particular reason why you want them cleared out sooner, you might leave them all winter. It does not hurt them to stay on.

I have always seen people cut their Irises down mid summer. They cut them in a fan shape so they look neat and other foliage can disguise them. Then just leave them alone for the winter. I'm assuming you know to plant them like a duck in the water, half above ground and half below, so they will bloom. And divide them when they seem to bloom less. they don't like to be crowded.

Are you referring to dutch Irises? they are different than the ones we called flags.

Go online & google your question. I use this method for all my plants. I have day lilies that I cut back the flower stalks after they die and leave the green foliage to die and protect the plant during winter. In the spring I pull off the dead foilage when I see new growth.

You can leave them like they are, if you cut them down leave a few inches anyway. I never cut mine till spring when I do my garden cleaning.