My standard ditch lillies are in full bloom right now, and, as usual the other
variety I have (more of a deep red fading into orange) which are a bit shorter
and have slightly finer leaves are exactly one step behind.

About 8 years ago I planted 20 "pockets" along my backyard fence with about a
dozen of these lillies in each. Now there's about 100-120 plants in each
pocket. Since I have time off now, I'm forced to do the splitting I had hoped
I could put off until after the bloom.

I'll re-plant about 20 back again into each of their original places, like I
originally did 8 years ago with loads of rich pure homemade leaf compost. I was
wondering if I should hack the replanted plants back down to the ground, leaves
flower stalks and all, or simply allow them to re-establish.

TIA