Iris--TOW foliage
James Waddick (Fri, 12 Mar 2004 06:22:20 PST)

Dear John et al;
I know this is a taboo topic, but I agree pretty much with
John. The tatty, down right nasty foliage of most bearded iris during
most of the garden season is a serious reason for banishing them from
the garden. There are some gorgeous variegated foliage forms of I
laevigata (in the pond), I ensata and others.
I am fond of the giant tufts of I lactea even out of bloom
and as tan features in the winter garden. In spring the foliage pulls
off fairly easily as new growth appears.

Gardeners often forget that after bloom the foliage can hang
around for a long long time and be an eyesore.

Hybridizers hardly ever consider foliage characters, or all
season garden quality, alas.

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 +