Question
I JUST PLANTED BLACK EYED SUSANS.DO THEY SPREAD AND FILL IN NICELY. I SEE SO MANY LARGE BUNCHES AS I  TRAVEL THIS SUMMER?

WE PLANTED DAY LILIES 6 YR AGO. THIS SUMMER -JULY WE HAD MANY FLOWERS THEY ALL DIED OFF AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE BUDS BUT NO FLOWERS FOR A WHILE. SHOULD I USE A BLOOM FERTILIZER? WE USE MIRACLE GROW?

WE TRANSPLANTED IRISES 6 YR AGO.WE HAD IRISES EVERY YEAR BUT THIS YEAR.WHAT SHOULD I DO ?. DIG
THEM UP? thEY ARE IN AN AREA THAT THEY CAN'T EXPAND TOO MUCH. WONDERING IF THAT CAUSED IT.?

THANKYOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE
MARILYN GORE


Answer
Hi Marilyn.

Yes, black-eyed Susan will spread both by growth and by seeding itself. However, if it blooms very enthusiastically, the clump can die. To keep your plants growing strong, divide them every second or third year.

Daylilies take a break midway through the summer. Some bloom again in the late summer and some don't. What you're seeing may be the seed pod developing. If this is on a stalk that bore blooms earlier this summer, cut down the stalk to encourage your planting to expand. If you let the seed mature, it may start a new plant, but it's pretty unlikely given all the hybrid plants available now.

I'm going to guess that you have bearded iris and not Siberian. Did they grow green but not bloom? If so, then they probably need some phosphorus and potassium. It probably isn't that they're too crowded, but that there are too few nutrients for so much plant. If they didn't grow at all, dig them up and check out the rhizomes. Many bearded iris just don't last that long. Also, my winter here was much harsher than normal, and if that's the case for you, then it may well have done in your iris. I hope not though.

Good luck!