Re: I. tectorum & PALTEC

From: Ellen Gallagher <sibrob@ncia.net>

Andrrew Wheeler wrote about PALTEC and I. tectorum in the context of 
wide crosses:

>  My theory is that the plant would not
> grow well at all.  I cite as an example 'Paltec' a cross of Iris Pallida  (a
> species from which the present tall bearded were bread)  and Iris tectorum,
> a crested iris (evansia).  Paltec, at least around here, seems incredibly
> rot-prone.  Poor foliage habit is common of several interspecies crosses
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is my first year growing I. tectorum and PALTEC (gifts from Mark
Cook) so can only speak to one year of growth and flowering. They were 
both incredibly hardy in my cold climate - both were in different raised 
beds with I. tectorum in a shadier spot, of course. 

PALTEC is planted near several SDBs which are looking the worse for wear 
about now 'but' PALTEC's foliage is looking great and is a lighter green 
than the bearded around it. Its bloom was exceptionally long with 
striking beautiful blue flowers. No hint of rot and we have had lots and 
lots of rain and high humidity this summer. In fact, no rot here at all 
in any of the irises.

I. tectorum which is supposed to be hardy to only Zone 5, (we had a Zone 
4 winter this year with plenty of snow cover) bloomed its little blue 
heart out and its short stature was no impediment as it looked like a 
blue beacon planted on a woody slope near the woods. Its foliage did not 
look terrific in the Spring but only got better as the months 
progressed. Looks OK now - certainly I. tectorum's foliage is no worse 
than any of my bearded irises at this time of year. (Andy & I both favor 
beardless irises which look terrific at all times. :)

Cheers,

Ellen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ellen Gallagher / sibrob@ncia.net / Northern New Hampshire / Zone 3


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