Re: shade iris

Dale Clark asked:
> I am also wondering if
> there are any irises that are shade tolerant and actually bloom in the shade?

This topic has come up a few times, but we haven't turned up many
cultivars of bearded irises that fall in that category.  Check the
archives for threads related to shade or HELEN COLLINGWOOD, which is the
tall bearded iris most often mentioned.  I've also had good success with
a small clump of CARIBBEAN DREAM under high shade of pecan, ash, elm,
and hybrid poplar on the west side of the house and am screening a small
batch of different cultivars that seemed to grow well out in the open,
but flowers got damaged (but not completely killed) by the late freezes
- if they can tolerate the shade, the trees may give them a little
protection from the freezes both by keeping it cooler, slowing down
early growth and by blocking some of the radiational cooling at night. 
C D certainly has done better.  This might not work as well farther
north where growing seasons are shorter and cooler.

While touring iris gardens last spring, I took a few notes on which
cultivars in Julie Allen's iris beds were in quite a bit of shade with
good bloom.  If you are interested, i will try to dig out my notes.  I
can't remember if I posted them already.

Linda Mann east Tennessee USA
tee shirt, sunny weather today.  Melted most of the snow.
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