Question
Hi,
Question 1:  I would like to know if there is a way to keep star gazer lilies short. Mine are currently about 4-5 feet tall. I would like them to be about a foot tall. The bulbs were given to me by my grandmother and she has had them for years.

Question 2: Is it ok to cut down iris's after there done blooming? Also, my iris's did not bloom at all this year and i have a ton of them! Any reason why that might be? I'm located in Indiana if that helps.
Your response is greatly appreciated! Thanks!

Answer
Hi Keisha,
Thanx for your questions.

1.  Stargazer lilies are supposed to grow tall and so you're not going to have any control in trying to shorten them.  If you deny them nutrition, they may not bloom or the blooms will be contorted and unpleasant looking.  So, there is little if anything you can do as it is in Stargazer's genes to be tall.  You can buy lilies that grow shorter if you like.

2.  With iris, you want to leave the leaves after the plant has bloomed.  Go ahead and cut the blossom stock off if you want to prevent possible seed pod development as this takes energy from the rhizomes.  Here's what happens.  The green leaf fans take energy from the sun all summer just as we consume food for energy and growth, the iris consumes, water, nutrients from the soil and sunlight to cause photosynthesis and the conversion of sugars into starches which are stored in the thick structures below ground which are actually a type of stem called a rhizome.  Starches are stored here in the plant for next year's bloom and growth.  So, if you cut back the iris now, it will not be able to gather enough energy from the sun to make nutrients to store for next year.  You can cut the fans back in the fall when they begin to yellow and wither.  Also, if your irises are not blooming or blooming sparsely, they are probably too crowded.  Irises need to dug up and separated every 3 years or so.  You can give away the extras, compost them or make a new bed.  I hope this helps.

Tom