I believe I posted something about this topic earlier this year, but it seems apropos to do so again. In years past, in the autumn when perusing the bins of dutch bulbs, I passed up the Dutch Iris believing them not to be hardy here (USDA Zone 5) in northern New England, USA. But then again, I've been seeing beautiful displays of them at a local area botanic garden, so I decided to give them a try last year, planting a few bulbs of 2 varieties in the autumn. The foliage sprouted shortly after planting and I thought they'd be doomed when winter arrived. Last winter was a return to harsh winters, after the previous 6-7 much milder winters. We had lots of snow, ice, frigid weather, and a spring that seemed to refuse to arrive. The foliage got battered up. But when spring finally did arrive, the foliage perked up with new growth, and the bulbs flowered beautifully. They're planted on a raised mound 18"-24" tall, in rich garden soil in a mixed foundation planting facing west. It remains to be seen how permanent they are, and whether they'll prosper to flower another year. I remain optimistic. Here are two photos I posted on the PBS wiki earlier this year, one each of cultivar's 'Oriental Beauty' & 'Sapphire Beauty' http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… http://pacificbulbsociety.org/pbswiki/files/… Mark McDonough Pepperell, Massachusetts, United States "New England", near New Hampshire USDA Zone 5 ======================================= antennaria@aol.com website: http://www.plantbuzz.com/ alliums, bulbs, penstemons, hardy hibiscus, western american alpines, iris, plants of all types!
