Pat, yes we do have visiting deer. One summer day last year I was working in our sunken garden. I was bending over deadheading daylilies and pulling off a few yellowing leaves. When I stood up I was literally eyeball to nose with a big buck. He had only one antler-the other was a stub where it had apparently broken off. The idea of deer doesn't scare me, but I wasn't prepared to be up close and personal with this guy. He was really big and I initially was in a state of panic until he decided that I wasn't particularly interesting and just moved along down the road. In April last year I had just started documenting my garden with the camera. As I was focusing the camera on the island bed in our front lawn these two were passing through the lens.

My mom's sibs didn't bloom either. I think it's pretty normal for them to skip a year sometimes. They're picky. My TBs did well this past summer. At least one bloomed that never had before. It didn't get really hot or dry until later in the summer though.

I have purple Siberian Iris which come through and bloom in amongst Tamora David Austin roses... I meant to get a picture, but did not. It was beautiful!!!

In fall. The "rule of thumb" for division of perennials is early blooming ones divide in fall - late blooming ones divide in spring. Less chance of inhibiting the bloom cycle with this method. Siberian iris do not have a root system that is sensitive to the timing of division (like beardeds or PC iris do) so I've found it best to follow this method. Your climate may be a factor, though, if fall planting not advocated in your area.