Re: TB: Tenderness
- Subject: Re: TB: Tenderness
- From: w*
- Date: Mon, 23 Jul 2001 06:44:17 -0500
- Priority: normal
As as been stated, I think all irises are winter-hardy, but quite a
few are tender - even as far south as Zone 8 and maybe 9. Chuck
Chapman lists tender varieties for his area in his catalog.
Some varieties will start a rapid growth pattern as soon as there is
an ounce of warmth for several days during winter, usually late
January or early February here. If this warm period happens to last
a week or more, and is then followed by a drastric drop to the low
twenties or upper teens, many susceptible varieties can be killed by
the sudden changes. This situation happens about every five to seven
years in this location, and that is why I try to avoid those
varieties listed as having a blooming season of 'E.' A lot of the
E's' are the ones that have this early growth pattern in my zone.
1996 was the last and worst year I remember a drastic tremperature
change that made for a disaster. It was also the only year our
society canceled its show. 2001 was consistently cold from November
through March, and we had the best season ever. I finally saw SDB's
at their registered heights, and all the IB's made super clumps with
flowers blooming all at the same height.
Walter Moores
Enid Lake, MS USA 7/8 (thinking of a 'Dessert Bed' featuring
Niswonger introductions)
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