There is no need to worry. Irises often take a year to settle into a new home. As long as they aren't planted to deep and get plenty of sun, they should bloom for you next spring.

littlebit

So I shouldn't expect blooms this year? sniff sniff.

Check around your area and see if irises in other gardens are blooming (or have already bloomed this season). If other people's irises are blooming and you don't have any stalks forming yet (or "pregnant" fans - feel the central parts of the leaf fans to see if you can detect a swelling where the stalk is forming), then chances are you won't be getting bloom from your own irises this year. As littlebit said, irises often take a year (or more) to settle in before resuming a bloom cycle.

For more potential causes of non-bloom in bearded irises, check the FAQs (link at top of forum page).

Laurie

It probably too late but throw downs some quick acting fertilizer that promotes blooms. Liquid would probably the fastest acting. If the soil has too much nitrogen in it than they wonÂt bloom exsp the first couple of years.

But iris does take forever to get settled in. I had to wait 3 very long years for a decent showing. Like you, I was very disappointed. The previous two years I only got like one each in the spring and one in November and another in December if you can believe that. (obviously re-bloomers).

The third year was spectacular! Wow!

If I had to do it over again, I would spend the money at a nursery and buy live plants that are budding. I bought the dried up poor things from Wal-Mart that are in commas and a bunch of mother rhizomes on ebay to save money.

About 10 bucks will get you a great live plant with lovely root structure. You just pop it out of the pot, stick it in the ground just like it is and the iris wonÂt even know its been moved. Plus all those greenhouse outlets use super steroids so they likely will bloom like crazy.

I still buy dried out rhizomes and from ebay but as an investment for the furture. I donÂt expect them to bloom for me for 2-3 years.

For immediate satisfaction, buy from a greenhouse.

I think it may just be too early. I'm in zone 7 as well and we're just now getting started on the early little irises. the TBs won't be along for several weeks yet. Check with other local iris growers for whne to expect bloom in your area.

Mike

Thanks everyone- some were the dried up rhizomes, but some were plants from my mom's garden. Interesting thing is, some of the dry ones did bloom last year but I can't for the life of me remember when. I see bearded iris around in bloom now, but I also see some that aren't blooming so maybe they are late bloomers? Are iris like daffodils in that they can be early or late bloomers? I will try the quick acting fertilizers.

I am also in Zone 7 and have quite a few tall bearded alreay blooming. My SDB's and IB have alreay finished blooming.
I did make a list of irises that haven't bloomed in the past 3-4 yrs and put them on notice. Bloom next yr or you are outta here!

littlebit