Expert: Tom Alonzo - 7/8/2009

Question
QUESTION: I recently dug out an area to re-landscape with colorful bushes instead of the blooming flowers I had there which weren't doing so well. While digging up some of the flowers, there were leaves coming up every year that just didn't do anything but grow leaves. Anyway, as I kept digging I started to dig up bulbs. The more I dug, the more bulbs I found. (about 60) Instead of throwing them away, I thought that perhaps I could plant them somewhere else where they actually might DO something. Could you identify the bulb and tell me what type of sun exposure this would require? I might be able to use them.  Thanks!

ANSWER: Hi JoEtta,
Thanx for your question.  The picture looks like some kind of iris (and there are many kinds...).  Can you show me a picture of the foliage?  Some iris, when they get too crowded, will stop blooming.
thx,
Tom

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Tom -thanks for your reply.  RE: foliage...I have already thrown the foliage away after digging out the bulbs. However, after your answer I searched iris foliage and the attached is exactly what the foliage looked like. I suppose that they kept reproducing under the soil and mulch but because they were covered only a couple of them produced leaves??? And since they were crowded they didn't produce blooms?  So, now that they are all out of the landscaping (and I counted 102 bulbs!) can they be planted again (in the right environment this time)?

Answer
Hi JoEtta,
Thanx for the additional information.  Yup!  Looks like iris to me and this is such a common problem.  Irises get crowded and stop blooming and all you see is some foliage.  Absolutely, you can plant them about 6-8 inches apart from each other and they should bloom next season.  Thin your irises out every three years to cut down on disease and encourage rampant blooming!  They also need direct sun.  Too much shade will reduce or stop blooming.  I hope this helps.

Tom