Lost and Wet
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Lost and Wet
- From: t*@rain-garden.com (T.C.)
- Date: Mon, 30 Jun 1997 21:40:04 -0600 (MDT)
I am new to the group and, frankly, a bit lost trying to comprehend the iris
jargon and abbreviations. I am wondering whether I belong amidst this group
of experts. Is their a key or directory of terms anywhere on line?
My wife is really the Iris fancier and has several dozen varieties.
However, while she enjoys the cultivation and enjoys the blooms, she
probably does not remember (or never knew) the name of any in her collection.
Our iris garden begins in a low but well-drained shaded area, moves up onto
a mounded area with full sun and rapid drainage, then transitions back down
the other side of the mounded area and into a pond. There is an imaginary
dividing line at the edge of the pond and my wife holds claim to the dry
beds while the pond is mine.
When plants are divided or thinned, they are often moved to other locations
along this gradient of shade to sun to pond to find out who grows best
where. The trouble is, we have only two varieties which do well on my side
of the line (in the pond). One grows well even in standing water almost a
foot deep and the other does OK in the damp area along the edge of the
water. The original plants for both of these wet varieties were obtained
from a lady we happened upon along a back country road almost a decade ago.
There was a sign in the front yard proclaiming "IRIS AND DAY LILY 4 SELL".
The lady described both of the wet varieties as "yellow Louisiana".
I have a query for the group. How can this neophyte find a listing and
description of iris which do well in saturated soil or standing water? I
have a lot of catching-up to do to increase the iris diversity on my side of
the line.
Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration.
T.C.
On the Coast in Zone 8
T.C.
http://www.rain-garden.com
