COLUMBIA, Mo. – Few flowering perennials provide more enjoyment for less effort than iris. With colorful blooms that rival those of orchids in intricacy, irises grow easily in the garden. Seemingly, without a care in the world, they rarely require the gardener’s attention to thrive.

However, gardeners should give the carefree beauty some attention in August. By dividing and replanting clumps that have become too large, gardeners can increase spring displays of the bearded beauty, said University of Missouri Extension horticulturist David Trinklein.