All, My Iris unguicularis have been blooming for a month or more down here in Southeast Texas, about to bloom out. Patty Allen Bayou City Heirloom Bulbs Humble, Texas -----Original Message----- >From: James Waddick <jwaddick@kc.rr.com> >Sent: Feb 8, 2012 3:44 PM >To: Pacific Bulb Society <pbs@lists.ibiblio.org> >Subject: Re: [pbs] Iris lazica > >>Jim: >> >>Did I understand that you are growing Iris unguicularis and I. >>lazica in the ground? If so, what temps have these survived without >>snow cover and how many years have you had them in the ground? >>Thanks. > >Dear Tony, > If you are astounded so am I. They are both in the ground and >both have bloomed last year. Both were planted as established plants >grown in the cool gh for a year, then planted out in our clay soils >on a south facing slope near the house and given a light airy mulch >of dry leaves, or pine straw this 'winter'. I think this is their 3rd >year, but 2nd winter to bloom in the ground. Last winter got to -6 F >and extended number of days below both 0 and more below freezing. >Really pretty harsh for us lately. We had quite a bit of damage on >some marginal plants, but not on these two. > > Last year we added I cretensis which is also looking pretty >good, but may be too small to flower. Thanks Jane. > > Buds have emerged from their sheaths on I unguiculares >recently, but no progress yet on I lazica. We expect it will bloom >fine, too. > > Both plants came from Wildwood Gardens of Will Plotner in OR. >http://wildwoodgardens.net/other_species_%20&_spec… >Will hand carried plants to us during the AIS convention in spring >'09. > > We tried these in other spots before, but seem to have found >the microclimate they tolerate. Fingers remain crossed, but shows the >truth behind believing in hardiness until you have killed it 3 x -or >more. These are both in front of a lovely and also "tender' bed of >Tetrapanax papyriferus. Wonderful plant. Just want a variegated >version. > > Best Jim W. > >-- >Dr. James W. Waddick >8871 NW Brostrom Rd. >Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 >USA >Ph. 816-746-1949 >Zone 5 Record low -23F > Summer 100F + > >_______________________________________________ >pbs mailing list >pbs@lists.ibiblio.org >http://pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php >http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/ ________________________________________ PeoplePC Online A better way to Internet http://www.peoplepc.com/