Any point to leaving these irises ?

Hi folks.
My flag irises were like this upon returning from a month away. Someone kindly watered for me but maybe overlooked these !
Is there any chance of them recovering over winter or should I dig them out and replant that space now ?
Thanks in advance ….

 

If the roots are still in the ground then I suggest leaving them glosmike. Iris corms tend to work their way to the surface and are happy partially exposed. I would give them a good watering now then leave them alone until next year.

 

I agree. They have energy stored in those rhizomes so try watering now, if it hasn't already rained, and then just leave them to get on with it.

 

I agree too - just leave them.
Do you mean they're the standard yellow flag Iris? Mine are still flowering. They certainly don't like being in drier conditions, so maybe you'd need to look at re-siting them if that area tends to dry out easily. You can create a boggier area if you don't have enough moisture in a standard part of your soil

 

Thanks folks - left in situ for now …. Will see how they go next spring

 

Well they are a purple colour. I have another batch further up the garden which have finished flowering but they still have flower spikes. Those in the pic are in a more exposed area which I imagine really dried out in my absence !

 

I wonder if they're bearded iris rather than flag iris ?
My MIL used to describe her plants as flag iris but they were actually the bearded variety, where the rhizomes need a good baking in full sun.
I know because I have several of the offspring in my own garden .

Have a look here and see what you think.
How to grow bearded iris

The video might give some clues.

 

Thanks for the reminder @Obelix-Vendée. For the life of me I couldn't think of the word 'rhizomes' so called them corms. I blame a senior moment.

 

Yes Annid I think you may be right - bearded irises

 

I forgot to look back here @glosmike . If they're purple - they wouldn't be flag Irises.
It's certainly more likely they're bearded Irises, especially as the rhizomes are so exposed, and they have broader foliage which is possibly why @AnniD 's MIL would think they were flag.
There are lots of Iris types, and the other one that's a possibility is a sibirica. They also like soil that doesn't readily dry out, although they can cope once established, but I think it's more likely to be a bearded variety. They like the rhizome exposed, as AnniD says, but they should be looking good just now, so perhaps it's a case of improving the surrounding soil through summer/autumn, so that they're in better health. Then cross your fingers for next year

That clump also looks like it could do with being divided. Irises spread outwards in a ring, leaving the central area bare and unproductive. Late summer is a good time to do it. Pot them up and grow on in a sheltered spot for re planting next year.