Re: Re: PCN Len's I. Missouriensis

Alexander Craghead wrote:
> 
> Len:
> 
> Well aren't you lucky! My missouriensis died... too
> much water? Too much clay soil? Both? 

It depends on which Iris missouriensis variety you have and when it got
how much water. Iris missouriensis var. pelogonus was so named because
that variety of Iris missouriensis is typically associated with clay
soils in its native habitats. The name, pelagonus, means the plant is a
clay-lover. Iris missouriensis wants a summer drying out period, but our
varieties are surviving quite well here on Puget Sound with the frequent
Western Washington precipiation. We're growing a local native from
Western Washington on Whidbey Island and another variety from the
colder, hotter, and dryer Eastern Washington. If yours is a variety from
east of the Rocky Mountains, it may be the clay lover, Iris
missouriensis var. pelagonus. If it is from west of the Rocky Mountains,
it may be one of the other varieties which don't need clay soil. If
anything, Iris missouriensis doesn't like having its roots disturbed for
some years, so they may sulk or give up the ghost in the first year or
so before they are well established. You should be able to grow Iris
missouriensis in your area without any great problem, provided its in
the right soil and undisturbed while getting established.

> Course I still
> have all the other PCNs which are really nice but I
> learned (the hard way) not to plant them in the sun.
> 

"Course I still have all the other PCNs"??? 

For the benefit of the folks unfamiliar with PCNs, Iris missouriensis,
and some of the nomenclature being used; I. missouriensis (SPEC) is a
member of the Series Longipetalae, and Pacific Coast Native Iris
(PCNI/PCNs) are members of the Series Californicae (CA); e.g. Iris
douglasiana (CA/SPEC), Iris (CA) 'Canyon Snow'. 

Which PCNs were a problem, and what kind of soil were they in? Did you
lose them the first season, or later?

"I learned (the hard way) not to plant them in the sun."

We used to grow our PCNI/CA in full sun and partial shade in Los Angeles
County of Southern California, and we still do so today on Puget Sound
in Western Washington. They grow just fine, so long as we keep them
watered in good moisture retaining and well draining soil. They also did
well in Southern California in containers with a soilless potting mix.
Keeping them well watered, in slightly acid soil, fertilized, and not
too frozen always seemed to be the key. They love the sun and grow well
in it.

Dallas Patterson
nye@fidalgo.net

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