African Iris: Cutting them back? (leaves, plants, trimming, natural)

[motifone]

Hi there

We have African Iris plants along our house (similar to the type in the pic). They've gotten sort of big and floppy. I'd like to thin them out a bit without ripping them out entirely.

If I had a sharp shovel, would it work to hack away a bit at the base of the plant, stripping away chunks of it?

I know some people give these a hair cut buy trimming the leaves like a hedge, but that looks unnatural and the tips go all brown.

[azoria]

Not completely understanding your shovel hacking theory, but after these plants have finished blooming, just leave them be for a bit. Then as the leaves start to brown and wilt a little after they've flowered you can cut them back to 6 or 8 inches.

You need to leave a bit of leaf so that they can absorb sunshine energy to recharge the underground bulb.

They are pretty. Don't destroy them.