I've got the Arrowhead Alpines milesii as well as 'Wildwood Willy'.
The former is on its fifth winter in ground, even though I've got it
in such a dry, shady location that it barely increases and has never
flowered. I'm at a similar latitude as well (42.2°N). It's somewhat
protected by leaf fall from a silver maple, but the ground around it
is defintely frozen much of the winter, and it has taken at least
-10°F. I keep meaning to move it, but like tectorum it looks so
pitiful by spring that I'm afraid to touch it, even though they always
recover. Both species try to stay evergreen, but the leaves are mush
by winter. I get the impression that it's not really very damaging to
them.
I set rocks on bearded iris that aren't well-rooted to help prevent
them from frost heaving in winter.
Sean Z
Zone 5b
Michigan
Quoting g*@peoplepc.com:
> Ken
> Interesting. We're about zone 5 here also. Roughly 42.5 north
> latitude - similar to you.
>
> Suspect, given my I. milesi seedling's apparent lack of dormancy
> response, that winter survival here in our zone 5 winter windswept
> garden might be questionable. If it had cover or protection maybe it
> could survive outdoors ? We will see down the road if it gets to
> that point.
>
> Actually I hope milesi will tolerate outdoor conditions because I am
> quite interested in having enough plants to have a go at making
> inter-specific crosses with it. I'd be looking for a hardier partner
> now after seeing how little response it seemed to have for fall
> dormancy/winter survival. Of course one plant is a limited
> observation - time will tell.
>
> I would be interested in knowing if your milesi clone survives this
> winter in Zone 5.
>
> Sorry to hear Ellen Hornig's nursery is closed. It was a nice
> regional resource.
>
> Here, we've been warm, very cold, then re-warmed, now headed back to
> cold temps. All this temperature fluctuation with no snow cover is
> all ready showing serious frost heaving. Usually that is a
> Feb.March.April event for us. Will be very tough on new seedlings
> and shallow rooted plants if it continues. We could use some snow
> cover for the iris right now.
>
> Regards, gregdavis - irisman646
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Ken Walkup
> To: i*@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Monday, January 03, 2011 6:51 AM
> Subject: RE: [iris-species] I. milesii source? Maybe ??
>
>
>
>
> Greg,
>
> I have (or had-not too sure right now) a division
> of milesii I got from Seneca Hill Perennials, Ellen Hornig's nursery
> in Oswego, NY, USDA zone 6. It's closed now, unfortunately. But it
> survived at least one winter in my garden in zone 5, although I have
> not gotten it to bloom. I'll keep trying with this species, I'd
> love to have it in my garden.
>
> Ken
>
>
>
> From: i*@yahoogroups.com
> [mailto:i*@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of
> g*@peoplepc.com
> Sent: Wednesday, December 29, 2010 6:45 PM
> To: i*@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: Re: [iris-species] I. milesii source? Maybe ??
>
>
>
>
>
> Christy
>
> I have one I. milesii seedling from 09CR040 (Signa seed) in the
> basement. One seed germinated spring 2010. I'm hoping there will be
> additional germinating next spring. Often that does occur. If it
> does, I'll share one with you.
>
>
>
> By the way. I had this seedling growing on the back porch all
> summer where it reached 3-4" in height. I forgot to bring it inside
> until the other night when the temperature was well down in the
> teens. It has stayed totally evergreen with no sign of dormancy.
> Even Pseudacorus and other hardy seedlings have gone dormant but not
> the milesii - "green as grass". It has not been exposed to
> dessicating winds since it was inside the enclosed porch, but it has
> tolerated several weeks of night temperatures below freezing.
> Several nights have gone below 20 degrees F.
>
>
>
> The seedling reminds me of I. tektorum in its seedling stage,
> which is not all that surprising.
>
>
>
> Regards, greg.davis
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
>
> From: Christy Hensler
>
> To: i*@yahoogroups.com
>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 28, 2010 8:50 PM
>
> Subject: [iris-species] I. milesii source?
>
>
>
>
>
> Does anyone know where I might purchase affordable starts of I. milesii?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Christy
>
>
>
>
