Iris miscellany
James Waddick (Wed, 21 May 2003 18:28:27 PDT)

Dear Mark and all;
Iris is a fairly complex genus at over 250 species, but the
sub genera are fairly neat to understand. Then there's always debate
at other levels.

It is a beautiful species and I know of at least one nursery
(near you) offering the real thing although now out of stock. It
apparently needs more drainage than you'd expect and some 'abuse'.
Another plant of it that I got last year proved to be incorrectly Id
'ed- a problem with some rare species.

I assume the Iris henryi pic came from Schafer/Sachs or
Probst garden. I just acquired an all white form of this last year.
It is very tiny.

Iris minutoaurea is also in the series Chinenses and is
remarkably durable growing in full sun and fully exposed to my harsh
climate (Zone 5). Surprisngly vigorous, but I have lost it due to
being over grown by something bigger. Quite a cute thing with bright
yellow and brown flowers.

There is a large range of iris out there once you get beyond
tall bearded , siberians etc. Some are real gardening challenges.

Best Jim W.
--
Dr. James W. Waddick
8871 NW Brostrom Rd.
Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711
USA
Ph. 816-746-1949
E-fax 419-781-8594

Zone 5 Record low -23F
Summer 100F +