When should you cut back a bearded iris?

Gardeners should cut back an entire bearded iris plant in the fall. However, after the first set of flowers dies in early summer, a gardener should cut the stalks at the base of the plant to encourage new blooms.

Because some iris plants can bloom again later in the summer, removing dead flowers can stimulate new blossoms. Normally, iris leaves are anywhere from 8 inches to 4 feet tall, but at the end of the season, iris foliage should be cut back to a height of 4 or 5 inches. The gardener should remove any dead leaves and mulch the plant to protect the base from upheaval caused by freezing.