Bearded Iris
Janette Asked
My Bearded Iris’s have never blossomed. they don’t even get buds. I have tried fertilizer with no success. They look healthy and they spread but never blossom. What can i do?
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Janette: Bearded Iris are old-fashioned plants that are such a treat to have in the garden. The good news is that the foliage sounds healthy. Of course, we don’t grow them for the foliage, but this eliminates any health questions. Poor flowering or lack of flowering is usually due to growing conditions. Bearded Iris will bloom best when grown in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. These long-lived perennials should receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Too much fertilizer can promote vegetative growth and hinder blooms from forming. Planting the rhizomes too deep can also affect flowering. The rhizomes should be planted no deeper than 4 inches. Established plants that become overcrowded will not flower as well as in previous years and will benefit from being divided. Bearded Iris can be divided every three to four years. This can be done during the late summer or early fall. I hope this is helpful.
Angie Oakley
Kentucky Living-Ask the Gardener
