If this does not happen, it becomes less likely that your irises will bloom.
When it is loosened up, lift the clump out of the ground with the tip of the shovel.
Most varieties prefer six to eight hours of sunlight.
Reticulated irises (Iris reticulata), for example, should be watered once per week or so if it does not rain in the spring but only once every few weeks throughout the summer months. German irises (Iris germanica) should be watered when the top of the soil begins to dry out. This should be done throughout the growing season. Southern blue flag irises (Iris virginica) require constantly moist soil and actually thrive in sandy-bottom bogs.
Always water irises in the morning so that the moisture will be available to them during the heat of the day.
