Fall Care for Iris and Daylilies in Georgia: Cutting Back and Dividing

In the Atlanta area (Zone 7b), fall maintenance for iris and daylilies:

Iris

• Cut leaves to 3–4 inches in late September.
• Divide after foliage cutback (late Sept–Oct).
• See Dayton Nursery’s Iris Division Guide.

Daylilies

• Pull dead leaves as they appear; eventually all foliage dies back.
• Divide when all leaves are gone (late fall).
• See US National Arboretum Daylily Division.

Why This Timing

Foliage feeds the rhizomes/bulbs until it naturally senesces. Premature removal weakens the plant. Division after dormancy minimizes shock.

Happy gardening!