Ok - I've had iris for years and years and years. About 3 or 4 years ago, we planted some siberian iris along with some other bulbs and perennials. They were lovely - some deep purple, some white, some yellow. This year when they came up, there are maybe two purple ones, no yellow ones at all and the rest are white. Any idea why? Does the soil just need bone meal to enrich it for color?

I had the same with other flowers years ago when I still had a garden...... they were all nice purple but I think they became white the second year too..... that certainly has to do with the soil..... don't know what your siberian iris needs, but it's definitely a soil-thingie..... :hug:

Love you lots,
Mieke :kiss:

I thought it would have more to due with bee pollinating then anything...didn't know soil could affect the color of a flower. The bees are what causes the flowers to change colors as they mix and match the colors for us...:lol:

I have a brown thumb. I kill plastic plants. However, I do know that soil conditions can effect colors. I know of one plant (not sure which one) that is blue when the acidity of the soil is one way and pink if it is another. n

That's azaleas( I think), Cloudwalker. There is a geographic line in my state that is obvious by those plants. Travel east of the line and the plants are gorgeous and colorful, travel west and they are pale and sickly.

I think you're right V. Like I said I kill plastic plants. The only reason I have plants around my house is because I leave them alone.

Hi V,

What might be happening with the irises is that if they are hybrids, I think they can drift back to the dominant strain over time. I don't recall exactly what plant I've seen this happen with.

For better flowering I think phosphorus is what you want to fertilize with (and I think bone meal would be a high P choice).

Hi V,

What might be happening with the irises is that if they are hybrids, I think they can drift back to the dominant strain over time. I don't recall exactly what plant I've seen this happen with.

For better flowering I think phosphorus is what you want to fertilize with (and I think bone meal would be a high P choice).
Cool, Teddy - Thanks!!!!

I have a brown thumb. I kill plastic plants. However, I do know that soil conditions can effect colors. I know of one plant (not sure which one) that is blue when the acidity of the soil is one way and pink if it is another. n

Around here, those are Hydrangias ... and I know I misspelled that. Some are blue. Some pink. Some white.

Cloudwalker's are probably brown and limp looking. :rofl:

Around here, those are Hydrangias ... and I know I misspelled that. Some are blue. Some pink. Some white.

Cloudwalker's are probably brown and limp looking. :rofl:

They would be if I messed with them. I have a couple very large azalia bushes that do great because I don't touch them.

Around here, those are Hydrangias ... and I know I misspelled that. Some are blue. Some pink. Some white.

Cloudwalker's are probably brown and limp looking. :rofl:
Hydrangeas seem to loose their color as well. I've never had any of those but I had an aunt who faithfully drove large nails into the ground around her hydrangeas every spring. She swore that was what kept them blue. Who knows?