SPEC: Spurias in the north

Continuing my reply to Claire's question about spurias that grow well in
Ottawa, I have just returned from the botanic garden and the spurias
that grow very well there are:- I. spuria halophila, and three cultivars

Larkspur
Red Oak
Driftwood

I might note that the three spurias species (sogdiana, halophila, notha)
that Juri mentioned as doing well in Moscow are classed in the BIS Guide
to the Species Irises as subspecies of I. spuria. 

I find it difficult to agree with his comment "To my mind a problem of
cultural spuria in northern region is insufficient summer heat." unless
it is total degree days rather than high temperatures. 

Ottawa is said to be the second coldest capital in the world, even
colder than Moscow although this year we are obviously warmer.  Despite
the cold winters, our summers can be very hot but, like most of Eastern
North America, this heat is often accompanies by high humidity. 
Luckily, Ottawa is at the very edge of that hot humid climatic region.
Spurias, on the other hand, are plants of very cold winters and very hot
summers. During both seasons, there is low rainfall and humidity.  This
climate tends to generate alkaline or salty soils.

I would have thought that the idea climate would be found in the western
regions of North America, where missouriensis is found, and in Australia
and South Africa.

Ian, in Ottawa where it is spring and almost all snow has disappeared.
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