Your 6-yr. rhizomes are probably 2 yrs. old at most. The mother rhizome blooms, produces babies and withers away. Most people divide beardeds 3-4 yrs.

"....some summer watering...." ~~~ beardeds prefer a thorough soaking followed by a period of drying out. As opposed to keeping the soil moistened. I will give mine an overnight soak every month since we have no summer rain and sometimes very little in the fall.

So I would plan on a revitalization of your bed. Dig in low nitrogen fertilizer. Bulb food works, bonemeal is great, superphosphate can burn new roots so needs to be down a few inches.

And no, they're not at all like tulips. The FAQ has more info.

Thanks, Iris Gal. The overnight soak would be new. I'll be sure not to put a hose near them for a week or two before trying that with bulb food. Good advice. I am amazed how there's always new rhizome growth no matter how poorly the overall plant seems to be doing.

You're welcome. Beardeds are looking pretty sad right now but their babies are growing :-)