Despite providing full sun and sharp drainage, you’ve had no success with your bearded irises flowering this year. Often regarded as a perennial elite, blooming in late spring or early summer, bearded irises are characterized by their frilly, gently coloured blossoms set atop stout stems, elevated above sword-like leaves. True to your actions, their rhizomes only need to slightly pierce the top of the soil to bask and mature in the sunshine. Additionally, they’re an ideal pick for bordering a sunny pathway or being positioned adjacent to a south or west wall thanks to their necessity for well-drained soil.
Several reasons may exist for the absence of their flowering. One possibility is that the irises haven’t had ample time in-ground for their root systems to properly settle before their blooming phase, which may occur by next year. Alternatively, you might have unintentionally buried the rhizomes too deep – a carefully done lift and replant at a lesser depth could amend this. It’s also important to note that bearded irises, being sun enthusiasts, can be outcompeted by neighbouring plants, notably owing to our chilly, damp intervals when sunshine is crucial. Equally, early removal of weathered leaves, which should indeed be let to naturally fade, could hinder blossoming. Similarly, a newly manured, nitrogen-heavy soil may fuel leafy growth at the expense of flowering. Lastly, this year’s constant cool, damp weather could have provided the perfect environment for slugs or snails to devour your irises before they mature. Don’t despair though; my own plants have also suffered this year, reminding us that there’s always a new day lurking around the corner. You also seem to be dissuaded about a hawthorn hedge boundary; perhaps there’s a better alternative you could explore.