Re: Iris Foetidissima

Kim: I would have my doubts that, in northern Minnesota, iris planted as late
as mid October would have sufficient time to put down sufficient root growth.
I. foetidissima had proven a difficult plant for me to get started from seed
when I lived on the east coast in N.Y. & N.J. Even with a good sized start it
proved difficult in N.J. My suggestion to you would be to get it planted as
quickly as possible in an area that will be in either full or dappled shade
during the spring and summer growing seasons.  I foetidissima fan tips will
burn  when exposed to full sun. It will not kill the plant but it does look
very unsightly. The plant does not need any special treatment other than that
which you would provide for other iris.  Be certain that you mulch well as
soon as the ground has frozen so as to prevent heaving as the ground freezes
and thaws.
The flower is not anything to write home about and in fact is quite ugly.
 The main saving grace is that the seed pods when formed and ripened open to
display delightfully red-orange colored seeds that can be sprayed with
shellac or hair spray and used in flower arrangements.

Hoipe this helps.  Dave Silverberg in Oregon where my foetidissmia was
resurrected from the weeds and presented me with three bloom stalks and 5
seed pods.
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