Re: Siberian Email Robin: Kudos for Ellen!

Patricia  wrote "North central WA state where siberian iris will not
grow." 

I am facinated to learn why?  I know the region reasonably well and it
seems to me that the climate (zone 6?) is much like the areas or origin
of siberian irises. Furthermore, with additional humus and watering, it
seems that they should do well. I presume that the soil might not be
acid enough but the enourmous range of distribution of the native 
siberian species suggest that they must be able to tolerate a relatively
wide range of pH.  Neither Mathew nor Waddick & Yu-tang suggest that
they are particularly sensitive.

I am particularly interested in this point as I am expecting to move to
British Columbia in about 2 years and I am negotiating to go to the
Okanagan, which is directly north of that area.  (Our alternative site
is on the coast where it is much warmer and less attractive for some of
the most interesting irises.)

On a related matter, if anyone wishes to get a general overview of the
climate and ecology of the areas where most irises originated, may I
suggest that you try and obtain a copy of "Realms of the Russian Bear"
by John Sparks 1992.  This book is a popular natural history account of
Russia and the Central Asian Republics.  It is a companion volume to  a
BBC documentary series and is very readable with excellent photographs. 
It gives a detailed account of the climatic changes in each region of
the old USSR and the related changes in fauna and flora.  You get a
strong impression that the climate is severe everywhere but for
different reasons - drought, heat, cold, etc.  Although irises are only
mentioned three times in the index, they are mentioned more frequently
in the text. In particular, there is an excellent photo of pseudocorus
in the Volga delta and of pennsylvanicum from the forests of
Ussuriland.  The latter looks very like the wild laevigata in Currier's
garden that I saw during the MASS meeting.  Anyone know the origin of
pennsylvanicum?  It does not appear in any of the books that I have.

This book sells for about $30US but I found it on sale at a new book
superstore opening for $3!!

Ian

Ian E. Efford avocet.intl@sympatico.ca
where it remains cold (-6C), and snow continues to fall, still about 4ft
deep.  I just hope that there are irises still out under the snow.  I am
beginning to forget what they look like!
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