How nice! Lucky you.

Irises are very tough. I have planted rhizomes that have been laying in the shade for three months and the plants bloomed that next spring. If you cannot plant all of them right away, you can store them in a cool dark place until you get around to it, but I would not wait long since you don't know how long they have been out of the ground.

On the plants with three ends, the middle rhizome is called the "mother" rhizome and it has probably finished blooming and will die. You can break off the two outer rhizomes if they are large enough and plant those. Throw away the middle one, especially if there is a stiff brown stalk still there, indicating it bloomed last spring.

Is there any green on the foliage? Or have the leaves all turned brown?

Most people trim back the foliage (if it's still green) to about eight inches or so when they transplant. This helps keep the iris upright. I also stake mine.

If the foliage is all brown, trim it all off.

Good luck with your windfall.
Renee

Thank you so much. The leaves are all still green and none had been cut back. I did wash them and cut them back about 6-8 inches. I will look at the mother rhizomes to check for that. I did not know that. I know the flowers were beautiful when in bloom, so I am excited that I could save them. Need any?? Guess I will be starting a new garden this week, so anything to trade would be nice. Just thought I would ask since you were so nice to respond to my cry for help!!

Thanks for the offer, but California does not allow the importation of plants.

I'd love to see a photo of your garden next Spring- it will be something to see. Do you know how to plant them? Be sure to leave the top of the rhizome exposed, because when the rhizomes are covered they sometimes rot.

Renee

Renee, I know the mother won't bloom again, but might she not make more daughters?

Mine do, sometimes. Have you had good luck with them, Sylvia?

Not to sound like a complete idiot, but what do you mean by daughters?? Will they then bloom? I haven't separated any of them as of yet, and will wait to hear back from either of you. Thanks for your help. I have the rototiller out and ready for work this week!!