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Returning iris reticulata?

FireFire Posts: 19,096
in Problem solving
I put in many dozen iris r. a few years ago and after a year of good flowering, almost none have come back. I'd like to plant some more but only if they will return year after year. Any suggestions? Thanks

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Reticulatas tend to only last a few years, so you have to replace them. I love them, but havent bought any for a while. 
    Species tulips might be a better bet depending on your ground etc. They multiply too  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Afraid they’re not great for naturalising ... three years is the most I’ve ever got a decent show from them. 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    Ok. Good to know. Thanks
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I treat reticulata as "annuals" once flowered, into the compost bin. 
    Devon.
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,090
    In my Belgian garden - cold and wet in winter - they never did more than one year, even in tubs.   Here I have planted them in big pots under Japanese maples and they have come back so I think the key may be good drainage and no deep freezing.

    As the maples have suffered in this year's heatwaves, despite daily waterings and not being in direct sun, they are going out into a north facing border.  It will be interesting to see if the iris reticulata come back next spring.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • FireFire Posts: 19,096
    edited February 2020
    Amazingly my rets have come back after three years! Happy days.
  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 12,494
    That's good news @Fire .
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    I had 3 pots last year and they've nearly all come back this year.
    Devon.
  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,385
    Only a few plain yellow or the occasional light blue ones come back for me, not the pretty dark blue ones I really like.  Same with fancy tulips, except for some horrible green/white 'parrot' type things (and which are multiplying, of course!)
    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
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