I have a cluster of beautiful pale blue/mauve iris. Should I trim the long leaves off before winter, or leave them to serve
as a blanket for the winter months?
Using a sharp knife or clippers, cut back the iris leaves & stems after the leaves have turned brown or gone soft. Cut back any green leaves to 2-3 inches from the top of the soil. Clear away all decaying matter and leaves from the bed. Once there is a good hard frost and the ground freezes, mulch the iris bed with a 2-3 inch layer of straw as this will provide insulation for the rhizomes. In the spring when the weather has warmed up, the snow melted and the ground is beginning to thaw, remove the straw mulch. Your iris should be ready to get growing once the feel the warmth of the sun.