Re: Japanese Iris and question for experts

In a message dated 97-07-11 10:31:09 EDT, you write:

> I had my first
>Japanese irises bloom this year and I was not prepared for how beautiful
>they would be in my garden.  SUMMER STORM, ORIENTAL FANTASY, and
>MAIKO-NO-HAMA were gorgeous considering this was their first bloom season.

NIAGARA POWER finally bloomed this morning..... "power" is the operative word
here.  The falls are a 'gunmetal' color - the best description I can give it!
 That silvered blue color.  The standards are lighter than I remembered...
actually kind of a rosy pink.... with magenta veining in the falls.  This
iris will bring you to your KNEES!!!!   Now, the form is not the most
fantastic.... on the idea of ROSE QUEEN.... but it works on this iris.  Good
branching and good ratio of bloom to foliage.

My question.... I have been doing some backyard pollen daubing.... and I'm
finding an inordinate number of pollen-less irises this year!  I'm also
finding these longish bugs down the throat of the irises.... could it be
possible that they're eating pollen???  Or is it just one 'o them
co-inky-dinks?

PICOTEE PRINCESS is also in glorious bloom.... a 6F ruffled white with a wide
rosy pink band.

My sweet Anna has a wonderful seedling guesting in the Guest garden... a
short 6F pink!  It's only about 24" tall... a precious mini JI!  If I can
divide it, I think I'll try one in a pot.

Also... I BELIEVE I have JAPANESE PINWHEEL in bloom!!!  At least, whatever is
blooming sure looks like a tet - and a deep wine/purple with tiny wire rim.
 It's in the same place where JP was.... and died.  Didn't bother to dig up
the remains... just pulled out the label and went on with my life.  In my
garden, the loss of a plant isn't necessarily a BAD thing since there's then
room for something NEW.

For anyone out there who is not yet growing JI's.... do yourself a favor and
try a few.... but you may end up in the Betty Ford Clinic for JI Addicts.

Kathyguest... in JI Paradise (but heading for PIttsburgh today for a
fanTAStic daylily trip)
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index