Re: CULT: store bought iris

---

It is true, as Cliff said that most people are not gardeners and just want some pretty flowers in their yards. If, however, iris were available in their local nurseries, they would certainly purchase iris to plant in summer as enthusiastically and as consistently as they buy their bulbs for fall planting. The iris, however, are not there.

Tulips and daffodils are marketed in boxes with attractive and colorful pictures of each plant correctly labeled. Iris could be marketed in individual plastic bags with plenty of holes for aeration and with a good picture of each plant. I believe the marketing of fall bulbs is done by middlemen who buy from primary sources and handle both the packaging and distribution. The popularization of iris in this country is not apt to come until one or other of the growers decides to explore the logistics and economic aspects of this approach. It is a question of creating a market... Or rather, it is a question of making the product available since the market is there.

As for the Garden Magazines, they really have gotten out of hand and Garden Gate is certainly best for someone who really wants to garden.

Julia Rankin

SZ 1-3