Iris not flowering

7 years ago

On a property that my family owns, we have some iris that we transplanted a few years ago. They are in a full sun location, but for some reason they never flower. We just get a clump of leaves that just sits there all year. Leaves are always very healthy so no problems there. Soil is VERY sandy and ph is slightly acidic to neutral (don't know exact number). Unfortunately I don't know what kind of iris this is. Sorry I couldn't be more specific about that.

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gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

7 years ago

Bearded iris, the ones with the widest leaves and the fat, tuberous rhizomes, are shy to bloom if the rhizome is planted too deeply. These should actually sit at the soil surface with only the roots extending into the soil so that the rhizomes are exposed to the sun. A lot of weeds in the vicinity can also shade out the rhizome to the point where they are reluctant to flower much.

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Comments (10)

sautesmom Sacramento
7 years ago
What kind of iris?
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
7 years ago
and where??? ... do you mean they arent blooming right now ... or are you asking ahead of the curve???
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rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)
7 years ago
pf275:

We here in Ferns are disappointed you did not post this in Ferns. Especially as you posted this in Roses.

Are we somehow less deserving than Roses?

Please post this in Ferns.
flowersaremusic z5 Eastern WA
7 years ago
Perennialfan, I'm in your zone, and our climates are similar. My irises are not blooming yet, either. But, since yours were planted a few years ago, and healthy but not blooming, I suspect besides being planted too deeply, they have multiplied and need digging up and dividing. Cut the newer rhizomes off and toss the old, original rhizomes, then replant the newer ones with the tops showing. If the clumps have multiplied and gotten too crowded, they won't bloom. Now, you have enough to plant in other places and share with friends. Most importantly, as gardengal said, they want to be planted close to the surface with the tops of the rhizomes showing. This is for bearded iris - I don't know about the other types.
perennialfan275
Original Author
7 years ago
@gardengal and flowers thank you for your advice. As far as the whole "planting too deep" thing is concerned, does this apply to other iris species as well or only bearded iris? As I said I can't remember exactly what species this is so sorry I can't be more specific about that.
gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
7 years ago
Only the beardeds produce that big, fleshy rhizome that needs sun exposure. All the rest can be planted normally.
Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley
7 years ago
Posting this thank you. I planted some gifted Iris last year with no idea what they were planting them rather shallowly. One bloomed fantastically and it is a bearded iris. I think my stachus lunetta is covering the other ones and preventing them from blooming. Also the mulch in another bed. I'm going to pull it back and see if that helps. Would it help this year or would I have to wait till next year? Please excuse misspelling on voice recognition I cannot type with who's on my phone.
seil zone 6b MI
7 years ago
You need to dig them up and reset them at soil level. And not too close together either. Irises will stop blooming if the rhizomes are too crowded together or planted too deep. I dig a shallow trench and lay the rhizomes in and only cover them about halfway up the sides when I split mine.
Nola z5aWI
7 years ago
I plant the same as Seil and have pretty good luck. Mine were'nt blooming a few years ago and a neighbor said you plant them like you see a duck on the water, about halfway deep.

Iris not flowering

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Comments (10)

sautesmom Sacramento

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5

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rifis (zone 6b-7a NJ)

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perennialfan275
Original Author

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)

Vaporvac Z6-OhioRiverValley

seil zone 6b MI

Nola z5aWI

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Iris not flowering

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perennialfan275Original Author

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perennialfan275
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