Can Irises Be Moved in Spring?

When to Move

• The ideal time to move the iris is in late summer or early fall. Horticulturists suggest this time to avoid moving it during the heat of summer or during a period when the weather may turn nippy. If the bulbs are in the ground by mid-August they should develop a sufficient root system before winter. The iris will survive a spring move but may not produce the amount of foliage and blooms it normally does until the second season after moving.

Where to Move

• Choose the new location carefully. It's always a good idea to watch the garden over the course of a day or two and make note of which areas remain shady, wet or sunny. Iris thrives in areas that receive sun all day but will bloom with afternoon shade. The most important consideration when choosing a location is the soil: It must be well-drained. If other perennials do well in the location, it's safe to plant the iris there. If you have any doubts, mix a 3- to 4-inch layer of chunky compost into the soil and wait three weeks to plant. If you don't add compost, add 1/2 cup of super phosphate to the soil, blend it into the top 6 inches of soil and wait three weeks to plant.

How to Move

• Use caution when digging up the iris bulb. Injuries to the bulb present an opportunity for fungal pathogens to enter it. Use a gardening fork to carefully dig up the iris bulb and then wash the soil from it. Use a twisting motion to separate the bulbs and plant them immediately so they don't dry out. Dig holes that allow the bulb to sit just below the surface of the soil and cover it lightly. If a bulb sustains injuries during moving, lay it in the sun to dry and then dust it lightly with sulfur before planting.

Care After Moving

• Don't pile mulch over the iris bulb moved in the spring. It will keep the soil too moist and may rot the bulb. If it's a dry spring, manually water the iris bulb to a depth of 6 inches once a week for the first month after moving it. If it rains, don't water. It's important to keep the bed slightly moist while avoiding overly wet conditions that may cause rot.