Bejay:
Iris grow well in California, but perhaps the coast is not the best place there. You should have your soil tested by the agriculture dept in your area, to see if it is lacking important nutrients. If you get scant rainfall and the soil is sandy and porous, it is possible that they are not getting enough water.
Again, I don't know if it is 'too hot' in your area. Iris may be getting scorched by a hot sun. If I were in your position, I would probably drive around the neighborhood and see if there are many other iris in other people's yards. If not, then there is something not conducive to iris growth (nutrients, water,heat) in your area.
Good luck with your iris, and don't give up. Iris are tough and you may have to do something a little differently, but you should be able to get them to survive.
As for borer, no, you do not have that wonderful Eastern phenomenon. Borer just do not survive in California. You might have grasshoppers or some other leaf eating insect.
Laetitia

Laetitia is right. You can rule out borers. It may be iris leaf spot --- a bit early in my zone for that to show up but I do see the odd leaf here and there with it. A google search may turn up a picture of it. It's not fatal and some years more prevalent than others.

As to their languishing, near as I can tell from reading, So. Calif. is not the best climate for iris. If yours are in a bed that gets regular watering, that may be contributing. The top 5-6 inches of soil should be dry before the next deep soaking.

You are having success with a few --- might check who hybridized them as well as the ones that croaked to see if a particular breeder's iris are better in your zone.

Thanks for any information - it is appreciated.

These originally came from Shriners - I believe in Oregon, if I'm not mistaken. They have a good reputation as far as I can tell. Oregon has considerably more rain fall and probably has more acid soil as well.

We have inherently alkaline soil - along with our water, and most of the plants need regular irrigating. Some soil sulfur (to aid in acidity) may be of benefit. I do use and make a lot of my own compost, and perhaps I will give them a bit more soil improvement to see if that might encourage some new growth (side dressing). They have survived, but are very slow with little new growth.

Bejay

Bejay,
Beardeds do not want acid soil. I have alkaline also but it is not a problem. The biggest problem is clay (adobe)! It slows down the growth a lot! My 1/2 improved beds need redoing every couple of years as the rain beats down the soil and excludes oxygen.
Schreiners does maintain high standards. They carry other hybridizers as well as their own.
Be on the alert to info from Florida -- in some of their areas they cannot grow beardeds. I really think you are fortunate to have some performing in zone 23. You must be an excellent gardener.

ok i have a very different opinion, i think your iris should thrive in heat. it gets 117 in summer where i live, heat is not an issue... ca is not humid or wet, so you are nothing like fl climate where they do not excel. iris need FULL sun to thrive and should be divided every 1-2 years in our warm climate. iris thrive in ca clay, less is best for iris... i water mine every 3 days for 45' because i have clay and its hot in summer. i have 1000s of iris, the ones that do best are in clay... you most likely have slugs and snails eating your iris. i think if you divide them and move into full sun you will see good results next year.

Yesterday, I noticed 6 new blooms - just getting ready to pop. I can't wait to check them this morning, to see if they opened all the way. They all look purple, so I guess my hybrids didn't make it.

One that survived from past blooming - was the Kool Aid iris and I am in hopes these are offspring.

You are right, since I moved them last year into a sunnier area, they seem to be happier with fewer rot problems. Perhaps being a bit nicer to them will be helpful - like water and fertilizing, removing rot, etc.,

If all goes well, I may decide to expand to some of the interesting hybrids again. Losing those lovelies - blacks, pinks, was such a disappointment - but will keep trying. I'm learning something new all of the time (still at it at 84).

Thank you again - these forums are so great.

Bejay

My first iris bloom yesterday morning - and what a beauty! I picked one and there are now almost 10 buds left to go.

This is surely the Kool Aid iris that I was talking about. It has a marvelous odor, and when I brought it in the house, put it in a nice vase, it proceeded to infuse the entire house with a soft pleasant odor. Truly a wonderful flower.

Normally, I have an intolerance to a lot of flowers with strong heady perfume, but this is pure delight.

Thanks for all of the helpful advice, will try to be more considerate of these lovelies from now on.

Bejay