Re: CULT: Companion plants

Bill Shear wrote:
> 
> The subject of companion plants for TBs is a thorny one.  I would agree
> that daylilies are a bad match for TBs.  Not only are the cultural
> requirements different but the robust foliage of the daylilies can smother
> the irises.  On the other hand, I have found that Siberians and daylilies
> are better matched in terms of vigor and requirements.  Ditto for spurias,
> if one selects varieties that are adapted to more summer moisture.
> 
> As TB companions, I like early tulips and daffodils for first color.  They
> are planted deeply (and therefore do not compete very much with the iris
> roots) and do not produce too much foliage--which is gone near the end of
> the iris season, anyhow.  The negative is that the foliage is often
> unattractive during the iris bloom season.
> 
> A good choice for later color would be any kind of lily--Asiatics,
> Orientals, or Trumpets.  The stem-rooting types are not as good with irises
> because they thrive best when well mulched with loose organic matter.  That
> would encourage rotting in the iris rhizomes.  The foliage contrasts with
> the iris leaves rather nicely.  The Asiatics would follow closely after the
> latest irises, the Trumpet types next, and lastly the Orientals.  Again,
> these will do better with siberians and spurias.  Spurias, however, bloom
> about the same time as the Oriental hybrid lilies and one should pay some
> attention to the color scheme, using the irises to provide the blues and
> purples not available in the lilies.
> 
> Invasive perennials like most Lysimachias, Monardas and Oenotheras
> (particularly O. rosea or O. berlandieri, now trying to take over large
> areas of my garden) are to be avoided among irises.
> 
> My favorite for companion planting with TBs, however, is columbine.  The
> airy foliage and the small, delicate flowers blooming with irises make a
> wonderful picture.  Columbines self-seed enthusiastically.  I have over the
> years grown a half-dozen strains in my garden and they have crossed amongst
> themselves to produce a range of types fromthe compact, up-facing
> Biedermeir types to the large-flowed McKana or Music varieties, and even to
> some very tall ones with pendant blooms that seem to derive from the local
> native A. canadensis and 'Magpie,' a stunning black-and-white English
> variety.  And I can't help but put in a note of strong dislike for 'Nora
> Barlow,' with its weakly colored pinkish green wads of double bloom.  Yecch!
> 
> In selecting annuals, again be careful of any that produce smothering
> foliage or self-seed so as to become weedy.  A few years ago I unwisely
> used Melampodium, which overgrew the irises and is still a problem coming
> up from seed.  California poppies seem to work well, as do the little
> violas called 'Johnny-jump-ups.'  Undoubtedly there are many other choices.
> 
> One of the real problems with TBs, in my opinion, is their unsuitablility
> as mixed border plants unless you exercise eternal vigilance.  Some of the
> lesser bearded types with more vigor, and siberians, are better choices for
> gardeners who are interested in a wide variety of plant types and don't
> have room for a dedicated TB bed.  Spurias are the top iris in my opinion
> for border planting, provided you choose wisely.  Louisianas can also hold
> their own in a moist mixed border.
> 
> Bill Shear
> Department of Biology
> Hampden-Sydney College
> Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
> (804)223-6172
> FAX (804)223-6374
> email<bills@tiger.hsc.edu>
Hi Bill;
Am in agreement with you about columbines as companion plants, and was
very surprised to find someone else who is familiar with MAGPIE. I think
it is a most striking addition to the garden. I have only had it two
years now, and lost the bloom last year. Does it self-seed, or does it
cross with others close by and become just another columbine? By the
way, have you run into CHOCOLATE SOLDIER? I had that two years ago, and
lost it, and have been looking everywhere for it this year, to no avail.
Small species type with green and brown flowers. Really cute! Care to
exchange columbine seed sometime this year??

Nancy Silverberg,
Molalla, OR where I got my teeny tiny bit of rain overnight, but not
enough to save watering today. I think I'll try for a wee bit more
tonight!
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