since you are new to the garden ... were these cut back to the ground last fall or this spring???

weird things happen to old spent leaves ...

im sure an iris peep will come along and ID the problem ... but i am looking to care instructions ...

ken

thanks, ken. no I did not cut them back. I didn't the previous two seasons and it was fine. I read that you aren't supposed to cut irises back. Is that incorrect? I have tried to divide them as they are quite crowded in many areas. The previous owner must have loved irises because they are in every bed - sun or shade. I want to pull a lot of them out and give away. But, I certainly don't want to give diseased plants to my neighbors!

Thanks so much for your help. I'd be lost without all the help on this forum!

In my gardening I concentrate not on diagnosis and fighting diseases, but on building healthy soil. Healthy soil = healthy plants. My garden is 100% organic. Organic soil amendments, composting and mulching are main components of my approach. I never compost unhealthy plants but dispose them safely.

It looks like Iris Rust, here is some info - https://homeguides.sfgate.com/rid-rust-bearded-iris-70032.html

Iris generally do not get scale that I am aware of.

Definitely iris rust And it can be treated via organic controls. Here is a previous thread on the topic: https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2002287/yuck-iris-rust-what-to-do

Thank you!! This is definitely what it is. I wonder why rust didn’t come up as I searched for problems w irises? Since I have so many, I think I’ll just pull out the ones w the rust and discard. Looks Like this worked for the poster of the previous thread.

we had a very mild but very wet winter. These are in a shady spot. Those conditions were ripe for the rust!

thank you!!!!