Re: CULT: wish:trial gardens
iris@hort.net
  • Subject: Re: CULT: wish:trial gardens
  • From: a*@aol.com
  • Date: Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:18:15 -0500
<<big trial/commercial garden for TBs>>

This subject has been kicked around a lot in the twenty-five years that I've
been actively involved with irises and creating irises.  I've been catching up
on some Bulletin reading during my enforced immobility, and the subject
cropped up there.

I can understand the theory that we should only report the irises that grow
well.  I can't imagine spending the money or space to plant an iris five or
more times!  My limit for buying an iris is 3 times, but I'm an addicted
optimist.  (I only pay $50.00 for an iris one time.)

Unfortunately, most of the people that grow irises do not belong to the AIS,
nor this list. Yet, they are the mainstay of the iris buying public.  Few
regular gardeners buy an iris the second time. It's rare that they come to one
of us to ask, "Why don't irises grow for me?"  They simply quit growing
irises!  They can not be expected to join the AIS.  How can we help these
people?

Those of us in the mid-regions of the iris world would love to have such a
place where we can recommend our local people go to acquaint themselves with
what irises grow well in our areas.

So, while it's cold, why not discuss test gardens?

What would it take to establish a test garden in Nashville?  (my choice!)
Linda requested one for TB's, and I'll admit that seems to be the main
interest of Region 7.  To be a good test garden, it would need to contain all
species, and all classes.  Also, It would need to stay current, with new
introductions being added each year.  To be of value to me, it would need to
have a full collection of reblooming irises, while others would want a full
complement of historic irises or maybe a collection of Lousianans, etc..

How much land would this take?  How would it be organized and who would be in
charge?  How many people would be needed to do the work?   How much would it
cost?  Who would pay for it?

Display gardens are great, but most people won't travel to more than one.
Better than nothing, this still presents a very limited view of our beloved
flower.  As great as our (SKIS) local display garden is, it does nothing to
acquaint people with anything other than the TB's.

Betty Wilkerson
Bridge In Time Iris Garden
KY Zone 6







-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Mann <lmann@lock-net.com>
To: iris@hort.net
Sent: Thu, Jan 14, 2010 9:50 am
Subject: [iris] CULT: wish


I wish there were a big trial/commercial garden for TBs somewhere in zone 7b,
close enough to go look - north Chattanooga TN (or even better, Cleveland TN)
would be ideal for me ;-)

Looking at all these <beautiful> new intros, most with pedigrees that I don't
know anything about, knowing that most of them won't "do" here, I wish all the
parents/ancestors were in trial within easy driving distance.

Actually, I really just wish it were warmer!

Linda Mann
east TN

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS

---------------------------------------------------------------------
To sign-off this list, send email to majordomo@hort.net with the
message text UNSUBSCRIBE IRIS
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index