First of all, don't cut the leaves unless you aren't concerned with seeing any flowers next year.

I recently re-dug and rennovated my perennial beds. I stashed my irises in a kiddie pool, which I had cut drainage holes in the bottom of with a pointed shovel. I then put in just a few inches of dirt and compost, then planted the iris in the kiddie pool. They didn't seem to mind being kept like that for the month it took me to dig. When I put them back in the garden, they bloomed pretty much as if nothing had happened.

Does that help?

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