By Susanne Holland Spicker
The 2018 tall bearded iris bloom season, although later than usual, has put on a spectacular show in the top of Utah, zone 6. One complaint, however, is that a week of above normal temperatures reduced the bloom time of the stalks as they sweltered in the heat. Many later varieties haven't bloomed at the time of this post, but here are a few of my favorites as I took a stroll around the garden beds. I love these varieties because of their beauty, reliability and their fabulous colors.
(top l to r) 'PERSIAN BERRY' (Gaulter '77), 'PLUM PRETTY WHISKERS' (Spoon '03), 'PRIVATE EYE' (Johnson '10), 'EYE FOR STYLE' (Blyth '06), 'MING LORD' (Blyth '06), 'QUEEN'S RANSOM' (Van Liere '12), 'ROMANTIC GENTLEMAN' (Blyth '02) 'OXFORD COUNTESS' (Blyth '07) I love this bed--it has some of my all-time favorites!
'LACED COTTON' (Schreiner '80) A laced iris that always opens up nicely
How has your tall bearded iris bloom season been? What were your favorite blooms this year? I'd love to hear from you!
(picture of the garden bed in 2016) 'GARDEN BRIDE' (Chapman '98) and 'BOLD EXPRESSION' (Ernst '03) are pictured, center
"I have found enduring happiness from the beauty found in the flower garden and from the joy that the love of a garden gives."
Doris Day
Doris Day
The 2018 tall bearded iris bloom season, although later than usual, has put on a spectacular show in the top of Utah, zone 6. One complaint, however, is that a week of above normal temperatures reduced the bloom time of the stalks as they sweltered in the heat. Many later varieties haven't bloomed at the time of this post, but here are a few of my favorites as I took a stroll around the garden beds. I love these varieties because of their beauty, reliability and their fabulous colors.
'LEANNA' (Meininger '97) A favorite plicata
'LENTEN PRAYER' (Schreiner '98), 'TORONTO' (Johnson '01), 'APHRODISIAC' (Schreiner '86), 'GIGOLO' (Keppel '84), 'NAPLES' (Johnson '01). Color galore--this bed has it!
'DAUGHTER OF STARS' (Spoon '01) Always among the top three to bloom--it was the first tall bearded iris to bloom this 2018 season.
'DARING DECEPTION' (Johnson '12) Stunning--breath taking beauty!
'FLAMINGO FRENZY' (Johnson '12) The unusual colored beard is fabulous on this blue-pink beauty
'EDITH WOLFORD' (Hager '86) Always a garden visitor favorite
'ABSOLUTE TREASURE' (Tasco '06), 'DESIGNER LABEL' (Ghio '03) Both are exquisite
'MIDNIGHT TREAT' (Schreiner '06), 'THORNBIRD' (Byers '89) A visual treat--unique
'CENTER ICE' (Ghio '10), 'GITANO' (Keppel '07), 'WINNING EDGE' (Ghio '97). 'PHOTOGENIC' (Ghio '06), 'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth '00), 'IN THE MORNING' (Ernst '04), 'LIMERENCE' (Blyth '09), 'MIDNIGHT REVELRY' (Schreiner '05). Outstanding color!
(t l to r) 'CITY LIGHTS' (Dunn '91), 'FOREVER BLOWING BUBBLES' (Ghio '07), 'PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE' (Schreiner '84), 'MILES AHEAD' (Schreiner '10), 'NO COUNT BLUES' (Schreiner '09) A single rhizome of each of these irises were just planted last summer, and I was thrilled that they all bloomed.
'EMBRACE ME' (Van Liere '08), 'BUBBLING WAVES' (Ghio '06), 'TICKLE
ME PINK' (VanLiere '11), 'QUEENS CIRCLE' (Kerr '00), 'PROUD TRADITION' (Schreiner '90), 'HEATHERIDGE' (Gatty '85), 'NIGERIAN RASPBERRY' (Kasperek '95), 'SONG OF NORWAY' (Luihn '81), 'CROWNED HEADS' (Keppel '97), 'EVENING TIDINGS' (Schreiner '09), 'ABOVE THE CLOUDS' (Schreiner '01), 'MAGICAL' (Ghio '07), 'RUFFLED BALLET' (Roderick '75), 'SOCIETY PAGE' (Ghio '10). This established bed never disappoints.
'CENTER ICE' (Ghio '07), 'PURPLE SERENADE' (Schreiner '05), 'GITANO' (Keppel '07), 'LOUISA'S SONG' (Blyth '00) 'FLORENTINE SILK' (Keppel '05). There are many irises still in the bud still to bloom in the coming days.
How has your tall bearded iris bloom season been? What were your favorite blooms this year? I'd love to hear from you!
