I'ts Spring! Do i cut back yucky foliage?

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Author Message   Terriebari  My Weather Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 09:56 am EST :    Hi! it's finally Spring in New Hampshire! I took my first walk through my garden this morning- finally no snow! I am new to gardening. I have several irises that bloomed last year, and this year, a few of them have greenery that is very yucky looking. some look fine. Do I cut off the yucky parts, cut back all the irises even if they look fine, or do I cut nothing? how far do I cut if I cut? thank you! terrie Terriebari - New Hampshire, Zone "5"   Gardenfiend  Supporting Member My Weather My Garden Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 10:40 am EST :    If yucky means brown, dead etc.: yes, cut off anything that doesn't look green and healthy, and leave the rest if you like. The irises will grow new leaves anyway. Gardenfiend - Germany, Zone "7a"   Seil  Supporting Member My Garden Journal My Weather My Time Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 10:49 am EST :    I take out anything that's brown and dried up and leave anything green. I usually clean them up and cut them back in the fall but there's always brown stuff in the spring to clear too. Post some pictues when yours bloom, I'd love to see them. Seil - Michigan, Zone "6"   Eileen  Supporting Member My Garden Journal My Weather Posted on Saturday, April 12, 2008 - 10:59 am EST :    Another thing to remember. Never mulch iris plants. This fall my hubby dumped loads of leaves near our little pond and buried two of my favorite irises. I planned to get the leaves off in early spring, but was sick and couldn't get to them. Finally, I raked enough to find the bulbs. They had turned almost pure white leaves and those were disintegrating. One plant being now exposed to the sun has new green growth, but Beverly Sills may be lost forever. He didn't know, but now he sees what can go wrong. Don't cover those iris with inches of leaves! Eileen Pennsylvania Zone 5   Heirloomgardens  Supporting Member My Favorite Photo My Garden Journal My Garden Posted on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 04:46 am EST :    I don't cut mine unless I am getting ready to transplant them, which I haven't done yet, so mine have never been cut back. I leave the leaves full length in the fall. They get floppy and a few turn brown or mushy, and then in the spring I pick up any that are lying on the ground all crisp, dry, and brown. The long leaves from fall have usually died off in spring and all I'm left with is fresh new little green fans. A few older leaves might remain, with brownish ends, but the brown part or the whole leaf will usually fall off of its own accord. Heirloomgardens - Massachusetts, Zone "5b"

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