Re: CULT: COLD HARDY "REDS"/ FREEZE - THAW
- Subject: Re: [iris-talk] CULT: COLD HARDY "REDS"/ FREEZE - THAW
- From: b*@aol.com
- Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 01:30:22 EDT
In a message dated 8/20/2002 9:04:55 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
jcwalters@bridgernet.com writes:
> . Low temperatures damage irises when they
> are actively growing (late fall, early spring) or when there are
> alternating periods of freezing and thawing during the winter. This means
> that irises are probably at greater risk of cold damage in many areas that
> are rated Zone 5, 6 and 7 than they are in Zone 4, or even much of Zone 3.
>
Yup, that's me zone 7 - alternating periods of freezing and thawing. I
usually don't purchase my annuals until Mother's Day weekend because of these
erratic weather patterns. This past spring, fortunately, I was behind in
schedule. Mother's Day weekend was mild, however, the following weekend we
had a late freeze.
My one and only iris was mulched over with about 2 inches of cedar. It
bloomed profusely, had lots of increases and was a site to behold. Now, that
I have acquired and planted many new irises, I am considering mulching them
over with double shredded hard wood. I believe this may help to protect them.
Then I plan to remove the mulch in the later part of May after the danger of
frost has past. I can't think of any other way to deal with this freeze/thaw
problem. I am open to all ideas.
Margie Brown, New York Zone 7
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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