Planing Siberian Irises

A landscape professional planted a few Siberian Irises in my yard several years ago that I love. I have wanted to plant more of them, but I have tried to do so twice and they never grow. I follow instructions so carefully, proper depth, etc. and they just never do sprout. What could I be doing wrong?

Maybe it isn't your fault. Maybe the landscape professional got them from an unreliable source.

If they are planted at the right depth and given food and water they should do fine for you provided they get the sun they need.

Not too sure what type of Iris you have, the Sibirican Iris I have is classed here as the wild or pond Iris and likes damper soil than the other types, they are tall, beautiful bright yellow.
I also grow some types that are bulbs (all the others types are tubers)

Can you send a picture or better description about your type, are they bulbs or tubers, both require different ways of planting, the tubers like to be buried with the tuber almost on show and so the sun can shine on the tuber, the bulbs require to be planted under the soil 3 times the size of the bulbs, however what I do IF in doubt, plant either type in a pot several bulbs to a pot, one tuber per pot, then I can keep an eye on them and move to different positions if needed, when happy, plant them out in garden for the following year. get back with more info IF you can, good luck. WeeNel.

I think the landscaper's iris are the ones that are growing, not the ones they've planted.

I'd consider the source of your bulbs. If the bulbs were healthy, they should have sprouted. What time of year are you planting them?

Siberian irises: http://www.ensata.com/HTML/PlantPages/siberian_index.htm

Plant them in your area in around early September. Plant the rhizomes about 2-3 " deep. Mulch with at least 2-3 inches mulch. Keep them watered well until ground freeze. When you first plant them, water them in with MiracleGro, and keep using that every couple of weeks to get the roots established.

Buy them, as Melody said, from a reputable grower. An iris grower, not White Flower Farms, or Dutch Bulbs, etc. When you receive them they should have green on them, and should be 3-5 fans.

Plays - please post a photo of your Siberian irises so we can help you. Since you mentioned they've been planted for years I am curious as to why you don't have blooms.

Do other plants bloom in the same area?

Have you had the pH tested?

Are you feeding them? If so, which product are you using and how often do you feed?

How much sun do they get?

You mentioned you tried to get them to grow twice. From whom did you buy those plants?

Have others in the ORV area had similar problems? I know you had a lot of spring rain so I doubt water was an issue.

Though their foliage is nice we do buy irises to get the blooms, not just for the foliage!

I probably did not plant them at the right time of year. Thanks, pollyk for the tip about September. I think I planted the rhizomes at the correct depth (and well-mulched), but probably did not keep them well watered until ground freeze.

I enjoyed my original Siberians for many years. The blooms are so delicate and the foliage adds great interest after the blooms fade.

Any suggestions as to who a 'reputable' grower' would be?

Many thanks to all of you!

Eartheart Gardens would be my choice. http://www.eartheartgardens.com/index_files/IrisesofInterest.htm

I've been to Eartheart several times, have met Sharon Whitney, the owner, and have purchased wonderful Japanese irises from her but she also sells Siberian irises as you will see, beneath the JI listings, on the above link.

Lots of good growers. Snowpeak Iris, Ensata Gardens, Joe Pye Weed (fantastic hybridizers), Iris City.

If you go to The Garden Watchdog, and go to search in the brown bar, that brings up advanced search. Then put in the drop down specializing in plants: irises historical and species, and then use the drop down sort by, and put in rating, it will bring up a list of the highest rated iris sellers. Some won't be beardless, but you'll find many of the top ones are.

Have fun. Siberians are a lovely plant.