How to Get an Iris to Bloom

The hardy bearded iris perennial is a majestic addition to any garden. A stately protrusion in the spring, some sub-species tower up to three feet tall. They are easy to care for and come in a beautiful array of colors. However, it isn't uncommon to find those huge green fronds peppered among the garden denizens with no bloom. Depending its upon cause, the solution can be quite simple.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Iris
• Spade

Iris reclaimed

1. 
   Plant and no Bloom

   Determine the cause of your non-blooming plant. If you are looking at vibrantly healthy green stalks that come up each year with determination, but do not flower, then you probably can eliminate a host of common Iris maladies. Among the pests that can attack your flowering rainbow are as follows: Aphids, thrips, and iris borers. Other iris afflictions are mildew, leaf rot, root rot, crown rot, quackgrass and the fungus botrytis. But your plant appears healthy. It just doesn't bloom.

2. Assure the irises have been planted in well-draining soil, between 12 and 24 inches apart from. If this was a transplant from another yard or location, it isn't uncommon for the first year to offer no blooms. Give your healthy plant a little time to get used to its new home.

3. Time your planting. Your plant isn't destined to doom if you put it in the ground when your friend handed it over in October. Irises prefer a milder planting time. Depending upon geographical location, plant from mid-July to September.

4. Locate the Iris in a sunny spot. If the iris was planted in the shade, it may well never bloom.

5. Move it up. This is a simple and usually successful remedy. Unlike flowers borne of a bulb, the iris rhizome (a/k/a corm) needs to be planted close to the surface so that its top is level with the soil.

6. 

   Break up clusters. Like most perennials, irises need to be thinned out every few years. Divide established plants every three years or so to keep them multiplying and to assure proper soil drainage.