Here's a photo from last May 1. They're always done by the end of May.

Yes, dig and pot them ASAP, along with anything else you want to take before you list your house.

with as big a plot of that you have ...

take a few pieces from the edges.. pot them ...now ...

and take a few more chunks when you move ... try it both ways ...

just dont get confused as to thinking you need to take the whole clump ... all you need is a couple pieces.. and in a few years .. you will have a big clump again ...

dont get greedy ... and make a huge job of it ....

ken

ps: it always helps to let us know where you are .. on questions like this ...

and id probably keep them potted until fall planting season .. dont plant them in the ground in the middle of summer ... again.. perhaps depending on where you are ....

and if they bolt to bloom in the pots.. sacrifice the flowers for this year ...

ken

old Iris cultivars are very hardy and resilient,

IME you can't kill them just by transplanting,

you will most likely loose this year`s flowers, but not the rhizomes.

if you pot them up, I would use at least half (of the volume) grits or sand

best of luck, Lin

Thanks so much! I'm in Missouri. Sorry I didn't think to say. I potted some up today. I may take a few more later. They are very overgrown. I put then in and then just ignored them reallly. Where they spread the rhizomes are practically exposed on top of the soil with roots going down through the landscape fabric. I ripped more that a few roots off. They were super hard to separate.

Here's hoping they make it. If not, I'd given some to a neighbor and I'm sure she'll let me get some back.

Many thanks!

I’m in Missouri too. My mom has always grown iris and usually transplants in the spring around now. She says to take a large root ball and often they do bloom that same year. If not, then for sure the next year. We did an experiment in my yard with them. Some we transplanted in April and some we transplanted at the proper time in July. The ones we transplanted in April actually bloomed better that year!

Just wanted to thank you all again. I think they're definitely going to make it if the buds (which I will snip off) are any indication. Thanks again!