It's not at all uncommon for irises to take a year or two (or sometimes more) to settle into a new garden before resuming a regular bloom cycle. I typically only get 20-30% bloom on irises the first spring after planting.

Have you read the FAQ? Good info there.

What did the two buds do that never opened? Do you know the name of that iris?

As Laurie says, first year bloom is usually very sparse.

a. The timing of when you planted can affect bloom. In my area, I find I need to get irises planted no later than Sept., in order that the rhizome has time to put good roots down before winter. I can plant into Oct and Nov., but they just donÂt bloom the next spring because they didnÂt have a long enough period for root growth.

b. Irises do best with 6 hours or more of sun each day. Shading definitely decreases the amount of bloom the next spring. I always recommend planting in full sun.

I will add on to what has been said, do you fertilize? If so how much? Too much is not good for them. How often do you water them? Too much water has an negative effect on them and can cause soft rot and diseases. As said before you shouldn't dig them up before the 1st of July and you shouldn't plant after September. Also an established iris garden should have the rhizomes divided every three years. This helps to prevent things such as soft rot, dry rot, and other diseases. If your plants have any of these conditions you can catch them early by following the guide lines on dividing rhizomes. By the way all this information came from an iris hybridizer I have known for five years. He has been doing this for over fifty years, so he should know what he is talking about.

I agree with most of what you say but the planting time depends on the zone you live in. Here in zone 7 NE Mississippi I have planted iris in every month except December and January. If a plant is not well settled in and growing, if I plant into November I place a brick over the rhizome to keep it from heaving out of the ground if the ground freezes. I have had rhizomes to be completely tossed by a freeze and I just push them back in the ground and they do OK. Lee Mincy

A couple of thoughts about the buds not blooming. . .Was there a cold snap, ie: light frost, cold rain; was there any extreme temp change? Sudden very hot day after overhead watering? Any spray or fertilizer applied? Any of these could make a bud wither.