Re: [CULT] Green (was Red)

These are encouraging observations. I hope to try these drought tolerant iris, along with their more thirsty cousins, since even a TB bred and selected in rainy western Oregon can survive with little summer water if needed. I think! I'll know more about how much water they need here in a year or two.

Kent Appleberry

DFerguson@cabq.gov wrote:

I was thinking along the lines of Arils for Utah as well.

I think there are many species of Iris and related plants that would thrive in much of Utah. Many would probably even grow well with no extra care at all, in the native soils (at least once established). Of course different parts of Utah are different, and that is somewhat of a consideration, high mountain areas would likely do better best with things that are thriving in places like New England.
But back to most of Utah. There are probably many Aril species, as well as bulbous, Junos, and even some beardless that would thrive. There has been good luck in places in Colorado, and I've heard (was it through this group) of somebody planting Arils in strips between sidewalks and streets where they weren't getting any care at all, and they were thriving (I think it was in Pueblo). Other people plant them in rockeries with cacti, and they do well.

Many of the really popular groups of Iris are from climates with cooler, moister, and often more acid conditions, and many breeders work under similar conditions, so many cultivars and species do not like much of Utah (or surrounding states) without a lot of help. However, there are also bearded, spuria, and probably other groups with species and cultivars that manage to survive without any help at all (once established) in climates like Utah. Some that come to mind are I. pallida (several cultivars), I. x germanica (several cultivars), several old tall bearded types (Indian Chief is always number one on the list, but there are lots of others), and I. orientalis (or whatever the proper name is now - this one will reseed on its own). I occasionally see a bright yellow spuria which has survived for decades in some places too, but I never sat down and figured out for certain which species or cultivar it is. For breeding for climates like Utah, Idaho, Colorado, New Mexico, northern Arizona, etc., it seems there is lots of material to work with, and lots of potential for new lines of cultivars that are more adapted to such climates (even with little or no extra care).

Dave__
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