Iris's are sturdy if you ask me I transplanted, the last that survived some kind of weed attacked them I moved them all else where, dig a hole doesnt have to be super deep 5-6 inches if that and sept is a good time mine took to the transplant but no bloom this year have been debating cut them back, or see if i get an authum bloom, not sure about this myself. think happy thoughts when you plant lol chase the killing thumb away