alkaline soil

Hi Kathy,
I have read that the blossoms of other flowering plants,  hydrangeas for
one, change colors depending on whether or not the soil is acidic or
alkaline.  I think the more acid get the purple blooms and the alkaline
get the pink blooms. (I probably have that backwards)  They are
beautiful flowers,  but we can't even grow them here at all in West
Texas.    I would imagine that Iris could do the same thing,  but maybe
not as drastic of color variations.  Our soil here is very alkaline  7.5
to 8 range.  Our county extension agent says that with our alkaline /
very hard water and soil there really isn't a way to alter the levels
very much, for very long (so we can't grow azaleas here at all).   I
would think the best thing is to talk with people (this list is
wonderful) whose soil is similar to your and find out what Iris colors
stay true for them.  Or buy from a garden in your area.  I tend to
assume that iris in the Oregon / California garden catalogs are not
always going to look the same in my soil.
Linda Harrington
Midland, TX
zone 7/8


It is interesting in that the color varies for me
according to the soil acidity.  My desert soil is very alkaline and this
is
compounded by alkaline water.  When I amend a bed, I use lots of compost
and soil
sulphur to bring up the acidity.  First year bloom on QUIET FRIENDSHIP
is a
gorgeous rosy lavender - definitely fitting the 'Lilac' definition.
But, the second
year, as the soil inevitably becomes more alkaline, it blooms plain old
lavender - without the rosy tint.  The difference in color really threw
me the first
time it happened.
Kathy Chilton
Tucson, AZ
Zone 8/9

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