Japanese iris bloom [1 Attachment]

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   I thought I'd share a pleasant surprise that greeted me when I traveled to Tennessee this weekend. The property where my mother rents has a high water table, so most of the yard is difficult to mow and maintain. I have planted several water loving irises along the margins of her yard, including plants grown from the seed exchange.Â

I have to admit that my experience with Japanese irises is rather limited, but I certainly did not expect to see a clump in full bloom ahead of even the earliest Louisiana iris bloom, especially given that the Louisiana bloom seems to be nearly two weeks late in southeast Tennessee this year. But these were apparently among the first beardless irises to open, well over a week ago now.Â

I found that this seed lot was a Sharon Whitney donation noted as being the earliest to bloom in Maine. Is anyone growing ensata in a similar climate that can comment on normal bloom time? These are in zone 7B in southeastern TN near the GA border.Â

Thanks,

Brian

Brian Shamblin

Comer, Georgia