Iris unguicularis Hardiness test

James Waddick jwaddick@kc.rr.com
Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:28:32 PST

>	We have just had 2 nights where the temps went down to 6 F
>(-14 C) and yesterday barely made it up to freezing. ....
>	Today the plant looks essentially unchanged, but the flowers
>and buds are totally frozen, collapsed and lost. So clearly the
>flowers cannot take this extreme, but the plant looks ok.


Dear Friends,
	 wrote the above (and more) on 2/12/12.
	Today 2/22/12 exactly 10 days later, the first of a second 
round of buds has opened completely.

	So not only is 5 degrees cold enough to kill open and nearly 
open buds, but a healthy plant can recover and re-flower in as short 
as 10 days.

	I must remind readers that this plant is outside and in the 
ground, year round in a micro-climate, south facing aspect near a 
stone stairway.  More buds are visible and I expect to see more 
flowers soon.

	Todays temp is going toward mid-60s F.

	So if you are wishful and in Zone 5/6, give it a try. 
	Best		Jim W.

ps a patch of nearby Iris magnifica had one entire shoot freeze 
almost to the soil line while others in light pine straw mulch are 
untouched. I am hoping the one with the frozen shoot has an intact 
bulb and can produce some new shoots eventually.
-- 
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 +




More information about the pbs mailing list