I am looking for Louisiana Iris. I would love to have any. I don't want a plant that has already bloomed. I hear once they bloom that is it. They still grow foliage, and have offshoots, but thats it.
Louisiana Iris
I have a dozen that never bloomed! Planted them last year, wondered what I did wrong. Also have half a dozen I grew from seed, lots of foliage, but no blooms. Have never had one bloom for me at all! Have been debating whether to give them garden room until next year or not!! Never heard about them being once-blooming though (never-blooming seems more like it!). John
John I went to my native garden meeting and learned a bit about them. They must have moist soil, and 6 hours of sun. They should be planted no more than one inch deep. You can give them superphosphate to see if it will help with the bloom. They like rich soil. Maybe this will help you. Once they bloom, the mother plant never blooms again. However keep her seperate. You can still get babies from her true to her. Her seed will likely be different from her.
Kelly, thanks for the information. They do have rich, moist soil, but definitely NOT that much sun. I thought they would tolerate much less, but apparently not. The leaves seem sprawly too, probably a good sign there is not enough sun. [Have any hostas to trade???] John
sorry no hostas to trade.....can you just move them to a sunnier spot?
Kelly, I planted my La. iris last year, got no blooms, but this Spring, April, I think I got a gorgeous show, but then they have not done well since. I just went out and looked and they look pretty sad and doesn't appear to have any new shoots. One old bloom I left on, to try for seeds (?). I think maybe I haven't given them enough water as we haven't had the rain we had last year. Also, as you say, the blooming plant dies back and new shoots should be coming up. I will watch for some, water more, and maybe soon I'll have plants for you and me. Roz
Kelly, I am so out of sunny spots to grow... Any shade plants???
Roz...sounds good to me. Only the iris that blooms....doesnt die back so to speak. It just doesnt bloom anymore. The foliage looks great. But if you give her time she will have babies coming off the rhizome. Then you can pull them off the momma. Yes, the iris needs MUCH water. It can even go in a pond up to 6 inches deep. However it can take higher water for short periods of time.
John, I really dont have any shade plants yet that I can let go of. Im just now getting to plant shade stuff really. When I moved here years ago there was NO SHADE, no trees. Im finally able to get a little shade, its lovely.