Re: TB: the perfect one
- Subject: Re: TB: the perfect one
- From: L* M*
- Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 10:45:03 -0800
From: Linda Mann <lmann@icx.net>
Betty in Kentucky asked:
> I would like to know which
> > iris/irises you all think more closely fit the perfect iris description.
> Try
> > to ignore color. This is not, necessarily, a question of preference, but
> a
> > question of performance.
& Jeff in Utah (for some reason, I still insist on thinking he is in the
mts of Colorado!) replied:
> IMO, the Dykes Medal winner from the past 15 years or so that was most
> truly deserving of the accolade is JESSE'S SONG (and I have grown all of
> them - or tried to - except Before the Storm).
Agreed. JESSE is a bit on the early side so often suffers some spring
bloom damage or stalk stunting in my obnoxious garden, but the rest of
the plant grows well, resists disease & freeze damage, and doesn't seem
to insist on being divided or cultivated every time I turn around. Plus
it's pretty here, & I like its more traditionally shaped flower.
I haven't tried it in partial shade yet - might give it enough
protection to escape some of the rollercoaster freeze injury. Has
anybody tried growing it in part shade, under high trees?
As for which cultivars I'd suggest for Dykes medal
winners instead of the ones that don't do very well here
(especially Honky TB - a total dud here, won't even live long enough to
experience damage) - my vote would go for HARVEST OF MEMORIES, hands
down the best combination growing-, performing-, and smelling-iris I
grow. And a very nice shade of boring yellow self-color (sorry Lloyd) &
falls not TOO badly flared for my taste.
I still think we need another TB award for irises that have been around
long enough to be inexpensive enough to be tried all over the country,
with concensus veto power on performance by ordinary gardeners. Or
regional awards. Sort of a cross between the popularity poll and judged
criteria.
Linda Mann east Tennessee USA
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