SPEC: Spurias in Idaho, Virginia and NY

Lane, some spurias grow in ditches and marshes in their native areas of
Turkey, and the southern region of the old USSR.  Because of the low
rainfall in the summer and high temperatures, the marshes dry out and
the soil becomes quite salty.  From my limited travels through Idaho, I
would think that you had an ideal climate for this group of irises.

With regard to Anner's problem with I. spuria notha, I can not think of
an explanation.  The climate of Southern England, where it grows well,
is very similar to that of Virginia except for your hot and humid
summers.  I would try again from seed!  I have a so-called I. spuria
musulmanica which took a long time to establish.  It flowered right down
near the base the first year and the flowers were less than
spectacular.  Subsequently, it has flowered at the right height and the
flowers are now normal, although not very large.  It seems to be getting
into its stride.  My only problem now is that the flowers are yellow and
musulmanica is blue-violet!  the only two subspecies of I. spuria with
yellow flowers are cathalinae and xanthospuria - may be, it is not even
an I. spuria.

Finally, Claire, I do not do anything to adapt my soil.  Most of it is
light soil mixed with mushroom manure (which is rotted horse dung that
has passed through a mushroom farm).  The most that I would do if my
soil was quite acid would be to mix it with some sand and make raised
beds so that it drained well.

Ian, in Ottawa

PS  Paul, most of the abbreviations, etc. you requested are found in the
first chapter of Graeme Grosvenor's new book, and it is even written in
Australian!
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