Returning iris reticulata?

Fire

I put in many dozen iris r. a few years ago and after a year of good flowering, almost none have come back. I'd like to plant some more but only if they will return year after year. Any suggestions? Thanks

Fairygirl

Reticulatas tend to only last a few years, so you have to replace them. I love them, but havent bought any for a while. 
Species tulips might be a better bet depending on your ground etc. They multiply too 

Dovefromabove

Afraid they’re not great for naturalising ... three years is the most I’ve ever got a decent show from them. 

Fire

Ok. Good to know. Thanks

Hostafan1

I treat reticulata as "annuals" once flowered, into the compost bin. 

Obelixx

In my Belgian garden - cold and wet in winter - they never did more than one year, even in tubs.   Here I have planted them in big pots under Japanese maples and they have come back so I think the key may be good drainage and no deep freezing.

As the maples have suffered in this year's heatwaves, despite daily waterings and not being in direct sun, they are going out into a north facing border.  It will be interesting to see if the iris reticulata come back next spring.

Fire

Amazingly my rets have come back after three years! Happy days.

Lizzie27

That's good news @Fire .

Hostafan1

I had 3 pots last year and they've nearly all come back this year.

BobTheGardener

Only a few plain yellow or the occasional light blue ones come back for me, not the pretty dark blue ones I really like.  Same with fancy tulips, except for some horrible green/white 'parrot' type things (and which are multiplying, of course!)