I just received my JPW catalog and actually drooled over the description
for their new Iris cristata introduction, "Hidden Mystery". Why?
Because it seems to be a new form (subspecies) of Iris cristata. I was
delighted to find an additional photo on their website...
http://www.jpwflowers.com/intro.html
"Unlike all other forms currently in commerce with rhizomes that spread
on top of the soil surface, the rhizomes of this spread below ground
more like its Asian relative Iris japonica. Like that species and its
kin I. confusa & I. wattii, the flowering-age fans of "Hidden Mystery"
also have canes below them, although on a very miniature scale."
My only problem is that I've tried at least a dozen types of Iris
cristata in my garden and lost them all within a matter of 2 yrs or
less. I dare not try again. I'll stick with easier to grow irises....
like aril species, and stuff. :-)
Dennis in Ohio
