Those are really pretty! I have a few dutch iris that I purchased at one of the box stores that have returned and bloomed each spring. I do have some bulbs that were given to me several years ago that only started blooming the last two years. I never did figure that out, but I am glad I didn't toss them and I hope they will become reliable bloomers in the coming years.

I am glad you brought this subject up because I would love to hear more comments on dutch iris in Texas.

Molly

Just putting my name here as I just planted 60 bulbs I got on sale and would like to know what to expect.

They should be pushing up leaves very soon. Ours started to emerge in late October/early November. Have really come to appreciate their freeze tolerant vertical greenery over the winter months. They bloom around March in North Texas and go dormant about the time the Katy ruellias around them start taking off again.

Had thought inconsistent blooms might be due to variation in chilling hours, but the last stellar show followed a very mild winter. Light and feeding are probably more critical. They will still naturalize, but rarely bloom, in heavy shade. Seem to benefit from some bone meal or similar occasionally.

Hope to see some photos of the 60.

I too am a big Dutch iris fan in the North Tx area. Have not figured out why some bloom every year and others don't. But think they are very worth planting - the bigger the bulbs the bigger the show. Some years I've gone ahead and planted small Dutch iris bulbs since that was all that was available. The blooms were so so the first year. But I will focus on adding bulb food to existing bulbs to see if that helps. Thanks for the tips!

Stunning! Love - love the colors of all that is green in this picture.

there's starting to peek out. I've marked the shoots with red triangles

Starting to bloom, blue and yellow, so pretty

I am very happy with the results of my dutch iris bulb purchase this last fall. About 80-90% of them came up.

Molly

A couple of the stray offsets exposed out in the yard did nicely this year,

but our main planting was a flowerless flop... literally:

Must be something else as there was 200 @ most chill hrs in my area, If that many. I will say though that my Avalanche daffies did not bloom and I suspect not enough chill. If it gets too warm b4 late bloomers are due, I think they won't bloom at all

I a going to post a bunch of pictures of my irises that have bloomed this year in a separate post :0

I cut the old bloom stalks off the dutch iris this last week and I am debating whether I should dig them up and replant in the fall, or leave them in the ground? Do the bulbs get larger and more productive if I leave them in ground?

Molly

Don't know as new in my garden but I have too many chores already to add dig/replant.

ETA if that is the case, I will get some when super cheap and I have an opening. Thank goodness I planted around trees where no biggie if they don't return

We always miss a few offsets when we move them, but usually don't get motivated to go back for them until they flower 2 or 3 years later. Seem to multiply and grow well left in the ground around here.

Reliable booms may be another story. Casual impression is that flowers have been more dependable their first year in a new spot. So, digging and replanting with a dusting of bone meal or other food might be a factor.

I leave mine in the ground. After 2 or 3 years I divide themthem.