First time planting Irises

I've never grown Irises before but I wanted to try it. I ordered from Schreiner's and although I don't know a good plant from a bad one, I was impressed with what they sent. I planted them right away like they said and I mounded them up in in a dry location. The leaves started to grow. A lot. Now the leaves are 12" tall and they look very happy. But are they supposed to do that in late summer? Our first frost is only about 4 weeks away. Will they try to bloom? Should I cut them back? All of them even have smaller sets of leaves (babies?). Are they confused about what season it is? They look great.

That sounds normal to me. It seems like some irises appear to go dormant during the hot weather of summer. Then as the weather starts to cool they do exactly what yours have done. Unless you ordered rebloomers, they will just grow and gather their energy until you get a hard freeze. Then when the ground thaws in spring they will send up those small leaves again - and this time will aim for blooming.

At least that's been my experience. I'm no expert, though.

I have the same concerns. I went to scout out the Iris that I want to move around, and several have what looks like new leaves in the center. I was going to trim back the old, ratty, half-chewed leaves, but I don't think I should trim those. Any thoughts? Is it okay to move them, or should I not disturb them atthis point?
Thanks for all the help I've gotten from everyone:)

Irises will continue to put out fresh foliage throughout the growing season. That's a good thing because the green leaves will feed the plant for next year's bloom. Don't cut back healthy green leaves that are feeding your plants. Remove only dead, dying, or diseased leaves or parts of leaves.

I really don't know when the optimal period for moving irises is in zone 7b, but my guess is that you're still OK to do it now. You just want to make sure the irises have at least 6 weeks to root in to their new locations before your first hard freeze.

If you live in an area with iris borers, wait until after the first hard freeze, then do a very thorough garden cleanup of all plant debris, including removing all dead or dying iris foliage on which borer moths may have laid their eggs. Burn or trash the cleanings. Do NOT compost! Do the same type of cleanup in early spring before temps rise to 70 degrees, and you will remove the majority of borer eggs before they have a chance to hatch.

Laurie

Thanks so much. I feel better now. They really look healthy. I have three other iris that I planted almost 2 weeks later because I just didn't get around to getting them in the ground. I was concerned that I had waited too long to plant them but so far 2 out of the three have small new leaves starting. It's exciting. I've never tried iris before. Next year (hopefully) we'll have flowers from these varieties:
Copper Classic
Matt McNames
Midnight Oil
Falcon Pride

You just about can't "wait too long"!! I found a gunny sack of iris in the shed of the house we bought a LONG time ago. I thought, what the heck... and they survived when I planted them!!!

Iris do well in a dry neglected area. My mother I think "forgot" they were there when I was kid. I don't think she ever thinnned her's. The same was true of the house I bought later in life, bed neglected thick iris bed. Of course, surviving and THRIVING are too different things!

You are buying "named" cultivars and want them to thrive and prosper so you can multiple them into stunning beautiful lush iris beds. I can't wait to see your pictures in the spring.
Pat