Too many Julies
- To: i*@rt66.com
- Subject: Too many Julies
- From: j*@BLomand.Net
- Date: Sun, 25 Aug 1996 18:52:41 -0700
I am really impressed and gratified by the welcome I have received, and by
the willingness of the iris-l subscribers to offer advice and encouragement.
I am Julie Allen in Sparta, TN. I believe the Julie who is moving soon and
asked for advice on moving iris is in Washington state. I read the
responses to her request, and I agree with the advice.
I have grown Japanese iris, Louisianas, TBs and medians, and Siberians and
a few species in pots. It can get pretty cold here in the winter, down to
about -10 last winter. I set the pots on the ground and work shredded bark
(which we get from a nearby pallet maker) around them up to the rim. I
mulch the beardless iris. Generally they do pretty well, but last winter we
had a warm spell in Feb. followed by severe, record-breaking cold in March,
and I did lose some bearded iris. It's not the cold which does the damage,
but warmth which encourages growth followed by more cold (we call this
Tennessee weather).
By the way, the Japanese iris, though not grown in water, bloom and do well
with rainfall and watering when needed. I am hesitant to try pond gardening
because we have a large number of reptiles, amphibians, and assorted
varmints in our woods. We had to fish a 3-foot copperhead out of our
swimming pool--it is amazing how fast that snake could swim.
Julie Allen, Sparta, TN zone 6
