When to cut back Iris plants.?

Purple iris plants have blossomed and look like they are dying. Can I go ahead and cut the leaves in the fan tail shape I've seen in plant books?

When to cut back Iris plants.?
The plant stores up food for next year's growth in the rhizome. Cutting off too much of the leaves may hamper food production/storage which may affect flowering the next year. Trim only dead or injured leaves and cut off the flower stalks.


The iris plants mom had always had a fan shape, she just had to get rid of the occassional dead leaf and flower stalks after blooming.
Reply:I would cut back the stem with the flower on it, but leave the leaves there - the rhysomes need the sun they get over the summer to grow, multiply and be healthy. Cut the leaves in the fall before the first hard frost.