How to prune iris versicolor

Deadhead immediately after flowering (late spring to early summer); foliage cutback in autumn. Snap or cut flower stalks at their base after petals drop. In autumn cut yellowing fans to 15 cm. Use clean, sharp secateurs; dispose of diseased leaf material rather than composting.

Annually (deadhead + autumn tidy); divide clumps every 3–4 years. Blue flag iris needs modest annual pruning. Remove spent flower stalks promptly after bloom to redirect energy and prevent self-seeding. Cut foliage fans back to 15–20 cm in late autumn after the leaves yellow naturally. In congested clumps, divide every 3–4 years in late summer rather than relying on pruning alone to maintain vigour.

Snap or cut flower stalks at their base after petals drop. In autumn cut yellowing fans to 15 cm. Use clean, sharp secateurs; dispose of diseased leaf material rather than composting.