How to prune iris

Deadhead during bloom (late spring); cut foliage back in late summer (August). Snap or cut individual spent flowers at the base. Once all buds on a stalk have opened and faded, cut the entire stalk to ground level. In late summer, trim remaining leaf fans to a 6-inch fan shape using clean shears to deter leaf spot and iris borer.

Deadhead during flowering; foliage trim once annually in late summer. Bearded iris needs deadheading after each bloom and a full flower-stalk cut once the flush ends, but leaves should be left unless diseased. After summer dormancy, fan-shaped foliage is cut back to 6 inches in late summer to reduce disease and expose rhizomes to sun. Never remove green leaves during active growth.

Snap or cut individual spent flowers at the base. Once all buds on a stalk have opened and faded, cut the entire stalk to ground level. In late summer, trim remaining leaf fans to a 6-inch fan shape using clean shears to deter leaf spot and iris borer.