How to Divide & Care for Iris – A Hands-On Workshop with Bob Gutowski 

July is typically the time to divide bearded iris clumps. Experts recommend division every three or four years to keep iris blooming and healthy, but July has a lot going on and iris division is not always the priority. So, if your clumps have run amok or you just want to know a bit more about growing iris, this workshop offers hands-on iris division (bearded and beardless) and iris cultivation advice for gardeners of all levels. You will leave with a few of the divided plants.

Bob Gutowski, now retired, worked at the Morris Arboretum for 35 years, living and gardening most of that time on the Arboretum’s Bloomfield Farm. There, next to the historic grist mill, he developed and cultivated an American Iris Society display garden and Historic Iris Society display garden, as well as curating the woody plant collections and other gardens around the Miller’s Cottage. The iris plantings alone were larger than the garden he now tends at his home in Erdenheim, PA!

This is a hands-on workshop, so please wear gardening clothes, a hat, and sunscreen. Bring water. No tools are needed as Bob has plenty.

Plenty of street parking. A restroom will be available.

This is a Members Only event, but registration is required. $20 per attendee. Maximum number of guests is 8. A waitlist will be available if needed.

Registration opens July 2^nd.  Registration closes August 10^th.

If we have heavy rain, the event will be held on the Rain Date, Thursday, August 14, 2025.

Click here if you would like to become a member of HPS/MAG before registering for this event.

Address and parking directions will be sent to all registrants in their confirmation email.

Contact: Laura Axel at [email protected]