I have Siberian irises. Noticed someone asked about dividing those. It's similar, but I didn't get small, tidy, individual stalks to replant. After 5 years, they slowed blooming and I could see the center was dead, an outer ring still green = time to divide. Ugh. Big chore. I only had 3 of them. Each had to weigh 40 pounds by the time I got them out, loaded with soil in the roots, etc. Tried different methods to separate clumps and get rid of the dead areas and after failing and struggling many times, I settled on a handsaw! Should have thought of that first. It worked. Put them all on tarps - lots of dirt, easier to clean up. Replanted the vigorous growth, dumped the dry, had lots for the back yard and front. The first spring, however, this year, only two flowers showed up after all that stress. The foliage is looking good, though. I'm feeling confident that they'll come back next year with a nice bloom. But seriously, be very cautious dividing irises or hostas or any well established perennial. I hurt my shoulder badly. Pinched a nerve. Weeks to feel better. Of course, that's just a cautionary message from a middle age dude! I should have grabbed that saw first thing. At least it's something that only has to be done every 3 to 5 years!
I have Siberian irises. Noticed someone asked about dividing those. It's similar, but I didn't get small, tidy, individual stalks to replant. After 5 years, they slowed blooming and I could see the center was dead, an outer ring still green = time to divide. Ugh. Big chore. I only had 3 of them. Each had to weigh 40 pounds by the time I got them out, loaded with soil in the roots, etc. Tried different methods to separate clumps and get rid of the dead areas and after failing and struggling many times, I settled on a handsaw! Should have thought of that first. It worked. Put them all on tarps - lots of dirt, easier to clean up. Replanted the vigorous growth, dumped the dry, had lots for the back yard and front. The first spring, however, this year, only two flowers showed up after all that stress. The foliage is looking good, though. I'm feeling confident that they'll come back next year with a nice bloom. But seriously, be very cautious dividing irises or hostas or any well established perennial. I hurt my shoulder badly. Pinched a nerve. Weeks to feel better. Of course, that's just a cautionary message from a middle age dude! I should have grabbed that saw first thing. At least it's something that only has to be done every 3 to 5 years!