Have several types of iris blooming. My question is; do I dead head them after the bloom dies & if so, do I cut back to ground or what?
Thanks alot,
Linda

It won't hurt the iris to cut off the flower; it's not necessary although it would look nicer. But don't cut the foliage back; the bulb needs to use the green swords to make food for next year.

Pridgeon,
Are you saying it is ok to cut back the entire flower stalk, leaving the swords intact, or that we should cut off the flower (top) only?
Thx,
K

I cut back the whole stalk not just the flower top. This makes it quit a job if you have a lot of irises, but it will make it look so much better.
I am not the expert, but the reason is the stalk with flower willl produce seeds and all the energy needs to go to the leaves for next years production.

Humming,
Thanks for your reply. That makes a lot of sense.
K

I have very large leaves, I do not cut tham back, but I have only getting about half my plants to bloom. Any suggestions?