Why, oh why, won't my iris bloom?

[Roberta Unger and Bob Stoloff]

Several years ago I planted about a half dozen iris. Each summer I have had
foliage, but no flowers. What's wrong? Suggestions from successful iris-
growers will be most appreciated. Thanks.
Roberta
run...@lucy.wellesley.edu

[Bess Haile]

They are either too deeply planted or they don't get enough
sun. The very tips of the roots should be just at ground
level. falling leaves can pile up on them and make once
shallowly planted irises too deeply planted. I solve this
problem by running my lawn mower over the bed every year, about
this time, or else sometime in the fall. Brutal, but effective

Bess Haile
in her zone 7 garden in hot humid sticky upper tidewater VA

[Keith Schengili-Roberts]

I do not consider myself an expert or anything, but I had the same
problem until this year. In the fall, I spread new earth, manure and
peat moss over all the beds. I also started to water fairly early.
In the spring, not only were the leaves on my iris much larger, but
for the first time in 8 years the iris that were not blooming gave me
big beautiful blooms. I guess all they needed was a little
encouragement!

[Dale 96339]

I also am not an expert, but had a similar problem. I dug them up and
replanted them.....spreading them out more. They bloomed for the first
time that year. Four years later they are getting crowded again and I
have noticed fewer blooms. Guess they need more room.

Dale C. Anderson
Worcester, MA