Bamboo Iris – Winter Care

Q: I have a large (and spreading) clump of bamboo iris, Iris confusa. Can I remove leaves in winter?

A: Unlike most irises, it’s better not to remove leaves in winter. The slender, flower-bearing stems emerge from old foliage and removing it might affect spring flowering.

If your clump looks really ratty, simply scissor off the brown leaf ends as you notice them.

Note: this iris has pretty flowers but it can be an aggressive invader. It has smothered hellebores, ferns and Solomon’s seal in my garden.

Bamboo iris

iris confusa bamboo iris 1

iris confusa bamboo iris 2

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