As a gardener, few sights bring as much joy as a flower bed bursting with colorful blooms. Irises are a popular choice that can provide stunning displays of purple, blue, yellow, pink, white and multicolored blossoms. However, it can be frustrating when your irises refuse to bloom.
If your irises aren’t flowering don’t despair. In most cases the problem can be corrected with a few simple fixes. Here are the 7 most common reasons irises don’t bloom and what you can do about it
1. Insufficient Sunlight
Irises need full sun to bloom their best, which means at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. If your irises are planted in too much shade, they expend energy on foliage growth rather than flowering. Evaluate the sunlight patterns in your yard. Relocate irises to the sunniest spots if they aren’t getting enough light. Morning sun is ideal as it dries dew from the leaves, reducing disease.
2. Overcrowding
When irises are planted too close together competition for resources prevents them from thriving. Dividing congested clumps gives each plant the space it needs. Use a sharp knife to cut rhizomes into pieces with at least one fan of leaves. Replant 12-18 inches apart in well-draining soil. Dividing every 3-5 years keeps irises vigorous. Newly divided irises may take 1-2 years to bloom fully again.
3. Excessive Fertilizer
Heavy fertilization with nitrogen promotes foliage growth over flowers. Irises prefer poor to moderately fertile soil and only need light feeding. Apply a balanced organic fertilizer in early spring at half the recommended rate. Excessive fertilizer also invites rot and pests.
4. Insufficient Water
Consistent moisture is key while irises are actively growing and blooming. Drought stress will cause poor flowering and other issues. However, overwatering can be equally detrimental, causing rot.Aim to keep soil evenly moist but not saturated. Mulch helps conserve moisture.
5. Burying Rhizomes Too Deep
Irises can’t bloom if their rhizomes are buried more than 2 inches below the soil surface. Plant them shallowly, with the tops of the rhizomes just peeking out. Cover rhizomes with soil but don’t pile mulch on top. Check for rhizomes that may have become buried too deep over time and reposition them higher if needed.
6. Poor Drainage
Wet, compacted soil is the enemy of irises. It deprives rhizomes of oxygen and leads to rot. Improve drainage by amending soil with compost or sand. Plant irises in raised beds for superior drainage. Ensure irrigation water can run off and does not pool.
7. Pests and Diseases
Insects, animals and fungi can damage irises enough to inhibit flowering. Watch for signs like chewed leaves, spots, rotten smelling rhizomes, etc. Identify the culprit and treat organically. Improve growing conditions to make irises less susceptible. Preventive care like cleaning up debris in fall is key.
Sometimes even healthy, well-cared for irises may skip a year of bloom. Don’t panic if yours take a break occasionally. But if your irises have refused to flower for several consecutive years, it’s time to investigate. Assess growing conditions and cultural practices. With a few tweaks, you can coax those irises into blooming again!
A lack of flowers means missing out on the much-anticipated iris display. However, the problem is usually fixable. Evaluate sunlight, soil, watering, spacing, planting depth, drainage and pest/disease pressure. Address any issues to get your irises back on track. With proper care, your iris foliage will give way to a breathtaking bloom show once again.
Irises Are Overcrowded
Divide overcrowded clumps of irises and relocate them. Overcrowded iris plants often fail to bloom. If this is the case, try dividing the irises this coming summer. Keep in mind that recently divided and transplanted irises may not flower for a year or two after the move. Learn how to grow
Why Are My Irises Not Blooming?
7 Reasons Why Your IRIS is NOT Blooming |#gardening
FAQ
How do I get my irises to bloom?
Why are there no flowers on my irises?
- 1. Your irises are too crowded.
- 2. Your irises are planted too deep.
- 3. Your irises need more sun.
- 4. Your irises are not getting enough water.
- 5. Your irises are getting too much nitrogen.
- 6. You have cut off the iris leaves too early.
What month do you cut back irises?
Irises are typically cut back in the fall, specifically after the first hard frost which usually occurs in October.
What do you feed irises to make them bloom?
Fertilization. Irises should be fertilized in early spring about 6 to 8 weeks before bloom, and again after the blooms are gone. Because phosphate is important, we recommend bone meal or super-phosphate and a light balanced fertilizer such as 10-10-10 or 6-10-10 depending on the amount of nitrogen in your soil.