Kent,
United Kingdom 
Help, my poor bearded irises have been submerged in vegetation, I have located them now, but, what do I do with them, do I cut them back now, do I fertilize them, it was their second flowering in he spring, and they were lovely, thanks.
5 Aug, 2011
Answers
If the tips of the leaves are turning yellow, you could cut the tips off, but that's all that I would do in the way of pruning. You might want to feed them with tomorite--maybe half strength, due to the lateness of the season--to harden the rhizomes for the winter.
5 Aug, 2011
Perhaps lift them now, it's a good time to do it (Monty did it on GW last week) and then replant them (maybe in a less densely planted area).
Iris growers often cut back/off the top of the foliage now - i do it every year - so you can actually go with your original thoughts.
They like impoverished soil so don't go too mad on feeds.
6 Aug, 2011
thank you so much guys.
6 Aug, 2011
You don't normally cut irises back. Just clear the vegetation - bearded irises need the rhizomes exposed to the sunlight. Without the sun on them they may be reluctant to flower next year so good luck with that.
5 Aug, 2011