Re: Re: SPU: 'Missouri Autumn'

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Spuria seem to do well in cold areas. I have been shipping them to Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg etc for several years. First as bonus plants and when people see them grow and perform they order some.

Apparently there was a gardening article on them in , I believe, the Clagary Harold, a couple of years ago.

A few pointers re growing spuria in the cold regions

1) they don't go dormant as in warm climates
2) If you order them, plant in September. If someone sends them to you in July, put them in the vegatable crisper until september. (if you forget about them, plant them in spring, even if they look absolutly dead)
3) plant with 3-4" of  soil over the tops of the rhizome
3a) They will put up some green foliage in fall, this is normal, and it will survive winter .
4) if you are in a borer region, be aware they are a favorite  treat of the iris borer. Burn foliage first thing in spring. Don't worry about damaged leaves, they will regrow.
5) Give them lots of room. The clump will get very very big, pver a meter in diameter in several years.

The flowers will open if cut when colour first showing, they are excellent cut flowers. Imagine  a dutch iris on steroids and food colouring.

Chuck Chapman

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