Okay I will. Do I need t cut the fan shorter for the winter? I think my husband planted them about 4" deep into the soil.

If they are indeed 'bearded' iris then 4" is too deep!! That fat rhizome/tuber that the leaves are attached to should be at the soil surface, with only the roots actually underground. Too deep a planting can definitely affect the ability to bloom.

Full sun, well drained soil. These are fully hardy and evergreen in our climate and usually the foliage gets cut back only if it becomes ragged looking, brown and dry or diseased.

It wouldn't be hard to lift them and replant them on the surface as GG48 says, but they will find their way there probably by the end of next growing season anyway. Plants know what they need and most can respond, despite the silly things humans do to them. The new rhizomes will grow toward the surface, at least as long as they're not too wet and rot. This isn't likely, bearded iris are known as relatively cast iron. I, myself, have found iris in the woods, where there hadn't been a house in seventy years.

She's right though, that may certainly affect their next season bloom (which is why I hedged my bets on my earlier post).

Thank you gardengal and dbarron. I will gently move them closer to the soil surface. Thanks for all your advice. It really helps.

The time to do so is now....the dormancy period for bearded iris is coming to an end soon.

Thank you dbarron. I will do it now! About how much soil should cover them? Thx

None. The tops of the rhizomes should be visible.