Dividing I. cristata and I. tectorim

I have seriously overgrown beds of cristata, and have never divided them. I assume that I should take them up in July, but since they go dormant in August, should I do it sooner, to allow them to get well-rooted when I replant? Or dig when they first show in spring?

On the roof iris - which are absolutely wonderful in my shade gardens! - I have taken them up as soon as they show in the late winter / early spring, and spread them around, with good results; but I wonder if any of you have done it in the summer or fall? It wolud make it possible to better locate the new plants near herbaceous companions.

Thanks in advance, iris specialists!

From PF... Divide after blooming, mid May here, keep the fine roots damp at all times.

I guess I better get on it. The cristata were done in March, and the tectorum about a week ago. Thanks for doing my research, kooger!

LOL have fun playing in the dirt!

Oh yeh! Thinking of getting a team in. Even I get in too much dirt sometimes!

Many hands make light work?

Yup. Like 100? I must have a couple of thousand little rhizomes, which I won't waste so I will pot up some anyway. Plus replentishing the soil and replanting! It's all fun.