Beardeds prefer alkaline over acid. Might add bonemeal and/or superphosphate OR a bulb fertilizer.

Tops are cut at bare rhizome planting to keep the plant upright. Your potted one shouldn't need it. Congrats on foiling the gophers!

Thank you for the advice. I think I might trim back the leaves a bit since some are floppy. And I'm seriously thinking of amending the whole bed since it will only have Ires and Daylilies in it.

This new bed is 30 feet long and 3' wide and 8" down to the chicken-wire. The wire is one piece that makes a box with the sides sticking out of the ground 6" like a mini cage. That should deter those nasty gophers.

I have 60 pots of Iris -- some single croms and others already grown into bunches. Some were rescued and are unnamed, while most still have their markers.

I'm really excited to have a dedicated safe spot for all my Irises.