Re: CULT: ground cover- sorrel

In a message dated 4/29/2006 7:20:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,  
flatnflashy@yahoo.com writes:

I  know we are all in search of the perfect ground cover, and I too have 
joined  the quest.



If you are talking ground cover for the iris beds, Christian, I feel  obliged 
to comment that it is generally not considered a good idea to plant  ground 
hugging, or ventilation suppressing, or sogginess engendering, or rhizome  
shadowing, or cootie harboring, vegetation in with one's bearded irises, which  is 
what I assume you are talking about?
 
In other words, while some of us try to incorporate companion plants  with 
the irises, many do not, and most who do, I suspect, are not  big on things that 
could be called ground covers or living mulches or  what you will. Too, there 
is the fact that the irises have to be lifted  periodically and it is in the 
nature of ground covers to be left  undisturbed.
 
My own bearded iris bed is bordered with pansies and violas from  September 
to the first of June, then with portulaca in the most varied and  lurid colors 
I can find, with a few chrome yellow marigolds and blue salvia  tucked in for 
emphasis and some plants of that tiny vermilion native morning  glory on the 
fence. There are also some Euphorbia myrsinites and lavender hither  and yon. 
Clearly, I do not strive for a sophisticated effect in  that part of the 
garden. You see, the rest of the place is excruciatingly  tasteful I just have to 
loosen my stays and get somewhat  down around the bearded bed. 
 
Which response does not answer your question about plant specific toxicity  
but may be useful in its own way. Allelopathy is a very complicated  subject, 
but you probably know that.
 
Anner Whitehead
Richmond VA USA USDA Zone 7 --Blooming today, Farr's 'Quaker Lady' 

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index