Re: CULT: Cold-Climate planting

I wrote:

>>> Bearded do better here planted with the front of the rhizome
above
ground.....but I sink the back of the plant in the soil to
stabilize it during the winter ice and the heavy snow pack. <<<

Dana Brown asks what do we mean by the back of the rhizome.....
I will for my words - When I speak of the front of the rhizome,
I mean the part that contains the toe, etc. However, the line I
quoted from my post is unclear even to me. :-)

To be precise: I plant bearded iris  with 'part' of the front of
the rhizome exposed to the sun and the elements. I have found
that without the direct sun hitting at least part of the front
of the rhizome, most iris will have problems here.  In my
climate, the back of the rhizome (furthest away from the toe)
needs some soil to prevent heaving - not just in the spring but
in our rainy season(s). which is the majority of the time.  We
have so much rain that the soil washes away in the back of the
iris and exposes the roots.  

When first planting, I  do make sure the front (toe) is secured
as well as the back but leave some space for the warmth of the
sun, etc. 

Ellen (still planting new bearded acquisitions at this late date
in Zone 3...)




=====
Ellen Gallagher / ellengalla@yahoo.com /Berlin, New Hampshire - USDA Zone 3 
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