The Iris Grower's Struggle, Part II

by Carlos Ayento

As mentioned previously, the Chicago iris gardener is presented with many problems: humid summers, cold winters without snow cover, and the pests such as grey squirrels, rabbits and iris borers.  While pest can be controlled to an extent, weather cannot; and only the toughest irises survive and thrive in the Windy City. 

In my last blog, I provided a sampling of some West Coast iris originations that have grown well in the City of Chicago.  Today, I present a listing of modern irises by introduced by various iris hybridizers that have proven themselves to be superb growers.  If you have some difficulties growing iris, give these a try!

From Anthony and Dorothy Willott, we have Hallucination (2006).  It is a remarkable standard dwarf bearded origination for its red-violet bands, veining and dotting.  The carrot-red beards make a nice touch.  It has proven extremely resilient and vigorous.  It was attacked by squirrels in June and has made a remarkable comeback.

Bijou (George Sutton, 2002) was an iris that I received as a gift from an order placed in 2007 or so.  I’m am so glad that I received it.  It has been nothing short of amazing and is quick to form clumps in the garden.  I’m also a sucker for blue-pink irises, especially ones with blue beards!

Direct from Canada, one of my personal favorites of Chuck Chapman’s introductions is his Summoned Spirit (2002).  It’s an intriguing medley of pale gold and blues, almost as if each petal was individually brush stroked.  The bonus of it being bred in Canada is that it is completely cold-hardy and snuffs at Chicago’s most brutal winters.

 Named after a computer graphic movement, Walter Moores’ ASCII Art (2007) is fine plicata.  But, the fact of the matter is that it isn’t just your average plicata.  The light purple coloring is heavy strictly on the hafts and style arms of the petals.  The strokes of purple are seemingly bleached away the further it encompasses the standards and falls.  It has bloom consistently since planting it in 2014 and has outstanding growth qualities.

A favorite iris amongst myself the Region 9 iris gardeners is Emma’s Laughter (2008) by our very own G. Steve Poole.  While Mr. Poole has registered and introduced irises since the early 1980s, it is only recently that his originations are taking notice.  I appreciate Emma’s Laughter for its exquisite ruffling, pale powder blue coloring and crisp texture.

Ernie Hoch is a new iris hybridizer based in Washington state.  He only has a handful of registered introductions, but that consistently impressed me is his 2014 introduction Chevron Three.  I purchased the iris as a new introduction in 2014 and it does not disappoint.  As a matter of fact, it has bloomed every year so far, since planting it in 2014.  Growth is just outstanding.  It produced rhizomes like no other.  I’ve literally had to divide it every year because there were just so many new rhizomes.  Highly recommended!

 From overseas, the wonderful French-import Pause Douceur (2014) from fourth generation hybridizer Richard Cayeux, is proving its worth here across the Atlantic and in Chicago.  A delectable confectionary, Pause Douceur has classic form, strong substance and superb growth habits.  Having purchased this iris directly from the Cayeux Iris firm in 2014, I have sadly yet to see this wondrous iris for sale by any U.S. iris growers.  I’m sure it will prove to be a popular iris variety in the years to come.

In the world of irises with ruffles galore, sometimes an iris with a more tailored appearance is a welcome reprise.  As a historic iris enthusiast and collector, some of my favorite irises are from the 1950s through 1970s.  These irises were ruffled just enough to be pleasing.  So, when I saw the Schreiner’s introduction Better Together (2014), I was very pleased so a highly contrasted iris in a tailored (to modern iris standards) bloom.  To me, the most eye-catching quality is the subtle brushing of buff-cream on the pale violet-blue standards.  It is very appealing, especially when offset by the much darker, wine-purple falls.  So far, it has been proving itself in Chicago and it has been one of my personal favorites the recent Schreiner introductions.

  

Iris brevicaulis the Short Stemmed Iris

by Jim Murrain

Iris brevicaulis is a Louisiana Iris species. It was first described from a plant found in Jackson County, Missouri on June 6, 1897. It still grows in the same location. That specimen is considered the 'type' or what all descriptions of this Iris are based upon. It was described and named Iris foliosa, the leafy Iris. Iris brevicaulis had previously been named, but the description was changed to match I. foliosa and the currently accepted name is Iris brevicaulis, the short stemmed Iris.

Above and below: I. brevicaulis from the 'type' location in Missouri.

I. brevicaulis  is the hardiest and most wide ranging of the Louisiana irises. It has been found from Leavenworth, Kansas all the way to  the northeast shore of Lake Erie in Ontario, Canada, as far southwest as The Big Thicket of east Texas and southeast into the Florida Panhandle.

Below is one from Alabama.

Oh course, as with all Louisiana irises (and the reason for the descriptive name) the greatest concentrations are found in and near the bayous of south Louisiana. I. brevicaulis, however,  prefers it drier than the other members of its group and is found above the riverbanks and in moist fields.

A purple and a dark blue found in Arkansas.

It readily hybridizes with the other Louisiana Iris species and imparts greater hardiness and a lessened need for wet conditions, so it should be used even more in hybridization.

Below is an interesting color form, named 'Finders Keepers', selected by Frank Chowning and registered in 1961. There is still much of interest in the straight species and they are worth growing on their own merits.

There is also a registered 'All Falls' with six falls and no standards that I would love to see, and several selections of white flowered forms.

Iris brevicaulis is the easiest of all Louisiana Iris species to grow and the latest to flower, thus a fine season extender.  Consider adding this iris to your garden.

SIGNA Seed Exchange Siberians

by Jim Murrain

Kansas City, Missouri gardener Rick Davis had grown Bearded Irises almost exclusively for decades. Shortly after he joined the Greater Kansas City Iris Society he moved to a larger lot in Independence, Missouri. If you live in the Kansas City area and grow Iris you will eventually be asked to help with the Species Iris Group of North America Seed Exchange. 

Rick was asked to help count and package seeds a few years ago. This was his first serious exposure to beardless irises. The second year he helped he joined SIGNA and purchased a variety of seeds. At the end of the shipping season we had a sale on left overs and he purchased a few more.

Rick planted the seeds in tin cans and old flower pots and left them outdoors to let mother nature care for them. As Spring arrived he watered as needed and got good germination on most kinds of irises. Some didn't come up until the following year though.

He had especially good germination on siberian Iris cultivars. They looked like tufts of grass in the pots. When weather permitted he lined them out in a new garden area.

Unlike myself Rick is a keen gardener and kept the weeds at bay and watered the seedlings during dry spells. The photos here are three years old plants grown from those seeds.

While Rick had good flowering on many types of iris I was there at peak siberian season so can share these with you. You can see modern forms and species type like the one below.

I would call this a pink bi-tone.

A near double or six fall seedling.

I especially loved this row where the stalks were over four feet tall.

A soft yellow.

A good 'red' siberian.

A very cute species type flower in palest lavender with darker veins.

Many shades of Iris.

Soft pink with butter yellow styles and golden signals.

Almost a watercolor effect on this seedling.

Dick Davis discussing the garden with a member of the Greater Kansas City Iris Society

Unfortunately last spring was the last full year for Rick's garden. He dug and donated all of his bearded irises to a sale last summer. If he is able to keep the property into spring 2014 we will be selecting and digging beardless irises to move to member gardens. This is rental property and is listed for sale.

It was fun to see the amazing diversity that growing irises from a wide range of sources gave his garden in only a few years and at a minimal cost in plants.

The SIGNA Seed Exchange is arriving in early January and is a great way to add color and variety to your garden with the excitement of being first person to see a new seedling in flower.

Rebloomers at Bridge In Time Iris Garden

After the Fall Freeze 2013 . . .

By Betty Wilkerson

 zone 6b in South Central Kentucky

It’s been an interesting year at Bridge In Time Iris Garden. Despite a fall freeze, and my inability to get into the garden much lately, some rebloomers have shown their beautiful faces through the weeds.  I have not fertilized for the past two years either, which has had an effect on the garden.  Weather was good for rebloom, but only a few faithful bloomed this year.  

Most of the larger, bloom-sized rhizomes were dug and sent around the country earlier this year. I have reports of some of these reblooming already in other areas. 

Bloom began here in late August with 1907-10Re.  In 2011, this was one of the two seedlings that bloomed all summer, but this year it didn’t show its beautiful face until late summer.  It was a welcome sight.  

1906-10Re Fall Overlay (Wilkerson seedling) 

Pretty as it may be, it does not always grow tall enough, and it's PURPLE.  Purple is a common color in reblooming iris.  Would you buy it?

1906-10Re-Beard (Wilkerson seedling) 

Currently, 'Over and Over' is one of the most dependable rebloomers in my garden. It wasn't the only one to rebloom in this difficult year, and it wasn't the first one to rebloom, but it did, and faithfully. I've discussed this with other breeders and many have said they won't use it because it isn't pretty enough, but I'd like to remind everyone that it is a really strong rebloomer.  Furthermore, when crossed on self irises it will not give plicata coloring.   

'Over and Over' (Innerst 2000) 

Toward the end of the season, but with plenty of time to open well, '2150-02Re' put up stalks. This is from 'Star Gate' X 'Matrix'.  Many seedlings from this cross rebloomed, but this one blooms the earliest and is most dependable.  Again we have the "dependable" quality, but not early enough, and PURPLE.  'Star Gate' is a dependable rebloom parent, but tends to breed only white or blue/purple with an occasional plicata.  Most often, this seedling will maintain the good fall form and also show an apron pattern like picture 2.

2150-02Re (Wilkerson seedling)

2150-02Re (Wilkerson seedling)  

Some might wonder why I've not made a cross between the two purple rebloomers.  Up to this point in time, I've not wanted to mix the beards.  '1906-10re' has many siblings and about a dozen have rebloomed. Same is true with '2150-02Re.'  With their parentage most of the seedlings would be purple and white plicata. Then there is the question on beard color.  There would be no chance of a tangerine beard.  Still, maybe next year!

Here are the seeds for 2013.  There are fourteen tall bearded crosses represented here!  They should start sprouting by April first, and I hope for lots of rebloom. Where there are irises and hope, there could be rebloom!

.

2013 seed crop

Horticultural Vermiculite: For iris gardens from clay to sandy soil

It's almost time to dig and divide your irises... so now is the perfect time to take a look at soil amendments for better plant health. One of my favorite amendments is horticultural vermiculite. My southern bearded iris garden would not be possible without it, but even my moisture-loving Louisiana irises are happiest when this beneficial amendment is included in the soil blend. No matter what your climate or soil type, the addition of horticultural vermiculite can have a positive effect in your garden. 

'Flying Down to Rio' (Moores 2005) planted in vermiculite-amended soil

Vermiculite is a naturally-occurring geological material, more specifically a group of aluminum-iron magnesium silicates that closely resemble mica. When processed for horticultural use, vermiculite is introduced to intense heat, causing it to expand into multiple layers of very thin plates. The end result is accordion-shaped granules of sterile, disease-free planting medium. Vermiculite has been used by nurserymen and gardeners for decades, in potting soils and outdoor mixes, in turfgrass and outdoor plantings, for 100% vermiculite growing applications, and for hydroponic growing. Horticultural vermiculite improves soil aeration, assists in temperature regulation, and retains moisture and nutrients necessary to feed rhizome roots for superior growth.

Close view of coarse-grade horticultural vermiculite

Consider the following reasons for using horticultural vermiculite in your iris garden:

• Soils amended with horticultural vermiculite are better able to retain air, nutrients, and moisture, and release them to the plant as needed. Therefore, a planting medium mixed with vermiculite promotes faster root growth for quick anchorage of newly planted rhizomes.

• Because vermiculite has cation exchange properties, it holds ammonium, potassium, calcium and magnesium and makes these trace minerals available to the roots as needed.

• Horticultural vermiculite is a perfect growing culture for irises. The pH of vermiculite is neutral to slightly alkaline (7.0-8.0). It will not deteriorate quickly like most planting materials, and it will not turn moldy or promote rot.

SOIL AMENDING OR CONDITIONING
Coarse grade vermiculite is preferred for outdoor horticultural uses, though medium grade may also be used. With heavy soil, the addition of vermiculite creates much-needed air channels to greatly improve soil aeration. When soil is sandy, the addition of vermiculite helps the soil retain much-needed moisture. Soils may be amended up to a rate of two parts soil to one part vermiculite.

With a large garden area, you may choose to condition only the planting rows. If this procedure is continued for three to four digging cycles, the entire garden area will eventually be conditioned. Because horticultural vermiculite is inorganic, it will continue to function for many years.

Medium grade vermiculite is preferred for potting applications. When used in potting new rhizomes, vermiculite improves soil aeration and diminishes the risk of tender roots breaking as the irises are transferred to the garden. If starting with commercial potting soil, check the label before adding vermiculite, as it may already be present. If making your own potting mix, vermiculite may be added up to a ratio of one part compost material or soil to one part vermiculite.

Planting mix of two parts soil and one part horticultural vermiculite

SUMMER MULCH
If you live in an area that has little to no summer wind, you can use vermiculite to mulch around the rhizomes in the hottest summer months. Vermiculite acts as a constant reservoir of moisture without promoting rhizome rot, protecting your irises from dehydration and scorching during dry spells. This can be especially helpful immediately after digging time, when replanted rhizomes are settling in. After the intense heat passes and winds return, you can remove the vermiculite mulch and save it for use in potting or amending the following year. Or, you can mix it into the soil in other areas of your garden. Used as a mulch, vermiculite may be applied up to 3 inches thick.

FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS
After your irises begin blooming, you will want to bring some of those lovely blooms inside to enjoy. Fill a vase with vermiculite, saturate with tap water, and allow the vase to sit for a few minutes. Repeat this process until the vermiculite is no longer absorbing and water is visible on top. Then, pour off the excess water. Arrange your flowers as you would normally. Your flowers will remain fresh for many days without refilling, and the stems won't develop that unattractive slime that normally occurs when a stem sits in water. When placing flowers in vermiculite, be sure to cut the stems at a slight angle to facilitate wicking.

Flowers being arranged in a vase filled with water-saturated horticultural vermiculite

HOLDING OR SHIPPING RHIZOMES
Vermiculite can also be used at digging time. After you have provided a bleach bath for your newly dug rhizomes, allow them to air dry in the sun. Be careful not to let them bake; the idea is to let the exterior dry without dehydrating the interior. After the rhizomes are fully dry, place them in a storage container and pour vermiculite around them. The vermiculite will prevent moisture fluctuation during the storage period and will provide protection against temperature changes. Though iris rhizomes should never be stored long-term like a bulb, use of vermiculite allows your rhizomes to stay fresh many days longer before replanting. An exact length of time cannot be predicted here, as the timing is dependent on the hydration level of the rhizome (internally) prior to placement in the vermiculite. Vermiculite can also be used when shipping rhizomes to friends.

Rhizomes being placed into a shipping box filled with horticultural vermiculite

A FEW WORDS ABOUT SAFETY
In the past, you may have heard about a link between vermiculite and trace amounts of asbestos. For almost seventy years, vermiculite was used safely and effectively for many purposes, including construction and industrial applications. Then, in 1990, asbestos particles were discovered in vermiculite originating from a mine in Libby, Montana. This mine was primarily used to produce vermiculite for industrial, not horticultural, applications, under the tradename Zonolite. The discovery brought worldwide production of vermiculite to a screeching halt as scientists and regulators worked to determine if any other mines were contaminated. Since that time, strict inspection and safety procedures have been put in place. Though a warning label may still appear on the bag due to past Libby-related incidents, vermiculite is not listed on the OSHA List of Hazardous and Toxic Substances. Gardeners can feel confident that the horticultural vermiculite found in stores today is non-toxic and safe for use in their garden. Just remember, it is wise to use caution when working with dusty garden amendments of any type, including use of a dust mask and watering the garden area prior to application. 

What amendments have been useful in your garden? Post your comments below!

Learn more about horticultural vermiculite with these resources:

Material Safety Data Sheet for Vermiculite, SunGro Horticulture, issued March 1, 2008. This publication details the chemical and physical properties of vermiculite, verifies that vermiculite is not considered a hazardous or  toxic substance by OSHA, and provides useful supplemental information.

Statement by The Vermiculite Association on the USA Government Studies of Vermiculite and the Potential Asbestos Exposure, May 2005.

EPA Sampling and Analysis of Consumer Garden Products That Contain Vermiculite, August 2000. This report details the results of the first large-scale study of consumer garden products that contained vermiculite. Since the publication of this report, significant advances have been made in the processing and inspection of horticultural vermiculite sold to consumers.