Re: Missouriensis

From: "J.F. Hensler" <hensler@povn.com>

The form of Missouriensis that grows in the Columbia Basin seems to be nicely
hardy and fairly tolerant of drought conditions. (I've got three areas in the
garden and one out in the woods planted with these things.)

This strain has lavender standards and stylearms and white or pale lavender
falls with dark netting. Plants are between 10" and 18" tall. They're known as
"pothole irises" after the small pothole type ponds that pop up in the
near-desert country in the spring. The soil in their natural habitat is alkaline
usually with some clay and there isn't much depth to it. The iris roots usually
only go about 3" into it at the most before hitting hardpan. Most areas are z5
with summers going over the 100F mark. The potholes usually dry up around July
and stay dry into late fall. 

The plants are more adaptable than might be expected. Our soil is a bit acid,
sandy without much, if any, clay and the depth is as much as 18" of sandy soil
in some of the areas they're in. We're a z4b. 

The plants will usually turn brown if the roots are disturbed but will start
putting up new green growth as soon as the roots have adapted to the new soil.
If possible, it's best to transplant chunks of starts with some soil left on the
roots. Enough soil and they never realize they've been moved. 

Marte or Barbara Mann will have to give stats on the strains native to their
areas and Rodney should have a good overview on the behavior of a number of
strains. 

Hope this helps.

Christy Hensler
Newport, WA 


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