While clumps are very pretty when in bloom, I'm a little worried about some of these. Last year I had some bloom quite a bit and now this year only a few of them are even alive. So I ask, does this happen alot where a plant will bloom this grand & then the next year it's not alive?

Not ususally, unless you have iris borers chewing up the rhizomes. Not sure if South Dakota has them or not.

Were they pretty "thick" Sass? over crowding can cut way back on the bloom, and, if they are real thick, and the leaves are left on in the fall, it could cause a sort of "mulch effect", and smother the plant (or lead to rot). I think I would dig a clump, and investigate, to see if there are any borer signs, or rotted out rhizomes. By the way, except for one, all the iris you sent are looking good, and the SDB's bloomed really well, for the first year !..Thanks Again !...Arlyn

I am not familiar with this either. Usually even after a hard winter like this last one if my irises had a normal summer they do well. I love all of your little SDB's. I hope you can find out what is wrong with them.

Thanks everyone.. yes Arlyn, some are pretty thick. I'd hoped to separate them last fall & clean everything up, but was unable to. Tom I am starting to suspect borers from some other troubles I'm having, so will probably do some cutting & digging soon. Thanks for the input.

yep, you can get rid of the borer (squash them) separate & replant. SDBs are pretty winter hardy & a covering in the winter can help. We use pine needles, but there are always branches from your Christmas tree to help out. Just remove in the spring.

Thanks Lucy!