RE: Landscaping iris/ Landscaping with TBs

>I write this with serious hesitation--but here goes--TB iris are a poor
>choice in most landscaping situations.  As someone that might consider
>planting iris in 'commercial' bed, here would be my criticisms:
>
>1.  Short color season in a typical planting situation.
>2.  Foliage loses attractiveness following bloom.
>3.  Maintenance--stalk and diseased leave removal.  A great haven for
>wind-blown trash and other litter.
>4.  Pest problems, ranging from borer, to leaf spot, to soft rot, weed
>problems, require either an attentive gardener or regular spray programs.
>5.  Do best in specific conditions--full sun, good drainage.
>
>I have seen (as I'm sure many of you also) well-meaning growers establish
>large plantings of iris (rhizomes left after rennovating their clumps) in
>situations where there was no  commitment from the group that planted the
>bed to make a similar commitment to maintenance (with predictable results).
>How can we expect any different outcome from someone less loving of iris?
>Frankly, all the benefits of promoting iris (that comes through putting on
>an iris show) can be offset by putting iris in situations where a lack of
>maintentance highlights their negatives.  I hope this posting is not found
>to be offensive, but believe me--I've seen it enough to know.
Dear Robert:  This comment does not deny the truth of your statements, -
but let me say that my "eastern rebloomers" have much better foliage than
the once-bloomers, much more resistance to diseases, as well as their
rebloom.      Lloyd Zurbrigg, Durham NC
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