I've got some clumps of old blue heirlooms that got so crowded the 2nd year that they stopped blooming. I guess that's what the problem is, there are other bearded Irises in the same bed performing beautifully. I'm kinda thinking I gave them conditions that are too good- it's a bed that started as a lasagna garden. I filled it with every 1/2 off, broken bag of compost, topsoil, mulch, and manure I could find, and by the 2nd year noticed any bearded Iris in there went nuts. Lately I've been using it as a bed for small, weak, or special varieties to give them a good chance at establishment. Considering I've seen these heirlooms growing and blooming along roadsides, I guess it's no wonder- they prefer some adversity.
