Re: OT-BIO: Ronald Leger - Canada
- Subject: Re: [iris] OT-BIO: Ronald Leger - Canada
- From: laurief l*@paulbunyan.net
- Date: Wed, 1 Jan 03 08:27:05 -0600
- List-archive: <http://www.hort.net/lists/iris/> (Web Archive)
Welcome, Ronald,
There is very little about irises that can't be learned from the members
of this list. There are vast stores of knowledge here (present writer
excepted).
>I understand that I cannot plant any TB's before August.
Why do you believe this is the case? TBs can be planted any time between
last frost in spring to 6-8 weeks before first frost in fall. Here in
northern Minnesota, I try to get all my irises planted before the end of
July to give them plenty of time to root in well before winter. I can
get away with planting as late as mid-Aug in a "normal" year, but I
prefer to play it safe and assume frost will come earlier than usual.
Many of the modern TBs can be problematic in my climate and growing
conditions. I've lost a great many to rot when we've had inadequate
snowfall and/or a prolonged, cold spring when the plants couldn't get
growing quickly enough to outgrow rot infections. I have found the
older, tried and true, historic cultivars to be stronger survivors here,
as well as the dwarf beardeds. Since you prefer taller plants, have you
considered trying Siberian irises as well? They are far less vulnerable
to pests and diseases than TBs and often much hardier in cold climates.
Setosas and versicolors are other iris types you may wish to trial in
your garden. Like Sibs, they are trouble free and reliable cold-climate
performers.
If you search the message archives at Hort Net (Mallorn), you can find
lists of TBs and other irises that some of us cold-zone folks have
identified as tough survivors in our gardens.
Happy irising!
Laurie
-----------------
laurief@paulbunyan.net
http://www.geocities.com/lfandjg/
http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/shadowood/irisintro.html
USDA zone 3b, AHS zone 4 - northern MN
clay soil
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