Re: CULT: iris health

Connie, I do <not> recommend chip mulch next to your irises. I'm trying to breed seedlings that tolerate mulch, at least in my gravelly soil, but many irises these days would probably rot. Some would probably be ok, but I wouldn't risk it, unless you are willing to replace them if it doesn't work.
However, a thick mulch that isn't actually touching the plants should be ok & would definitely help keep the roots cool and conserve moisture. As long as the raised beds are well drained.
In a "normal" year here, the chip mulch might not be such a good idea, but between the ongoing drought (I don't water, except newly planted things) and the devastating freeze this spring, anything that wasn't going to survive chip mulch is probably already dead anyway.
When I got the mulch, my plan was to only put it between the rows, but with the drought, I've been mulching an inch or two thick right up to the base of seedlings.
Do you have rot problems with the chip mulch? I am trying to grow plants in such poor conditions. Poor quality soil hauled in and placed in very shallow beds on a very rocky base. Mulch would certainly help retain moisture & prevent weeds but I have feared rot etc if I mulched around the iris 
Connie  Eggen
Zone 5b
Warsaw, MO

--
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA zone 7/8
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