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SPU: Growing, (was "Lucky Devil")

We grow about 60 cultivars of spurias in a very open area, and don't find wind a problem. Also in our warmer climates spurias grow to full height.
I was surprised when I went to Portland last year how short the spurias were and how late they flowered. However by comparing notes with others that grew spurias in both warm and cold climates we realized the difference was the winter dormancy. In warm climates (California, Australia) the spurias go dormant in mid-late summer (if not watered) and start to make their new growth in autumn. This means they have about 5-6 months growing before flowering. Whereas in areas where they are covered in snow in winter, they have only about 3 months growth before flowering, therefore they flower shorter and later.
We find spurias to be the toughest of all the irises. They are more damp tolerant than bearded irises, and once established are very drought tolerant, but not in their first year. We have some established clumps of spurias that receive no summer watering at all, and they still grow and flower well, but not quite as big a blooms as the irrigated ones. About the only things they don't like is to be hot and wet in summer ( eg lots of damp mulch in hot weather), and a complete lack of winter cooling.
 
Get yourselves some rhizomes, and set and forget, they are also very happy to be left for years without being divided. They are also great for floral art
 
 
Colleen Modra
Adelaide Hills
South Australia
 
c*@impressiveirises.com.au
www.impressiveirises.com.au
 
 
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: d*@hotmail.com
To: i*@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:37 AM
Subject: Re: [iris-photos] SPU: 'Lucky Devil'

We only have a few spuria, but so far they don't seem to be bothered by wind.
 
----- Original Message -----
From: a*@telusplanet.net
Sent: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 1:17 AM
Subject: Re: [iris-photos] SPU: 'Lucky Devil'

Wonderful! These tolerate wind pretty well, then?
An
----- Original Message -----
From: d*@hotmail.com
To: i*@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2007 8:41 PM
Subject: [iris-photos] SPU: 'Lucky Devil'

Another first year plant in our garden.  This bloom survived a morning downpour and an afternoon of wind.
 
Kathy
Zone 5b
SE lower MI
SPU: 'Lucky Devil'

LUCKY DEVIL

    (Joseph Ghio, R. 1987), Sdlg. SP 82-266C. SPU, 36" (91 cm), EM
    Deep blue purple with black sheen. Vintage Year X Border Town. Bay View Gardens 1988 HM 1990

JPEG image

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