Tall Bearded Iris cannot sit in water. They are survivors - yet standing water is a killer to them. They like raised areas of soil!
Take them out of the ground - and plant them like in mounds - so rain can run off and not collect!
Rae Ann

OK--thanks---I need to completely try a different area I guess. I really hate this since I bought these from a friend and hate to have to put out money to buy more. Does anyone know of a place to get the best prices on iris? Terry

Drainage, drainage, drainage. Hope your soil is loose.

You can leave the rhizomes unplanted in the shade for a few weeks without problems. They must go into the ground about 6 weeks before your first frost if you are in a cold winter area. Need to get roots growing before winter.

My irises have been under water for 3 days after a hurricane and they were fine.

We just got 10 inches of rain last night in our area
Is that a common occurrence in your area? Are they still under water?

I know parts on Indiana got 10 inches of rain Sat AN, but where there was water standing initially, it has since drained away. Folks in those areas may never see another rain like that in their lifetime.
Chances are the area you have them now may be fine, along with the irises themselves. Once you can get to them, they will likely need to be reset if the soil washed away from them, or if the soil washed into the bed area, making them deeper.

Has the water drained away? If so, when? If it has drained, I'd think the iris will survive....but then I am a plant optimist....and Alicia above had luck with them surviving 3 days under water.

Sue

Sue--no this is not a common occurence. They are still under water--guess I need to move them if there is any chance of saving them. The river is still rising in our county and many roads including highways are closed due to water over the road. Nearby towns were being evacuated today.

I was just disappointed as we bought this farm last year and there was not a single flower on the 40 acres. I had dreamed of having a flower garden like the memories I have of grandma's flowers so I bought some iris from a friend this year and these are the ones--my only perennials--that are now under water.

Guess it is take awhile to get my flowers started. Thanks for your optimistic words, I hope you are right.

Where are you in IN?

Terry

I'm in rural Scott County, out by Hardy Lake. We here in Scott County didn't get any rain at all, when it rained 10 inches in nearby counties and farther away. I have seen the TV banners telling of all the flooded counties near by, with evacuations, and even Interstates closed at times.

Where are you? My guess is maybe Jackson County.

I had dreamed of having a flower garden like the memories I have of grandma's flowers
It all takes time to get beds made, flowers from here and there (purchased or shared) established, but in time you will get there...complete with many things similar to what your grandmother had.

What did she have besides irises? Maybe later this summer/early fall (when the temps cool some) I could share some things with you.

Sue