Re: In Search of perfect TB irises

From: celia storey <storey@aristotle.net>

Betty in BG writes:
>
>While the senses are reeling with the beauty of irises, and before the
>memories grow too dim, I'd like a report.  Not a bloom report, but a
>perfection report.  I'm not looking for the perfect iris, but near perfect
>irises.  All colors, all patterns, and all hues.
>
Here are four votes from my garden, which is done for after abnormally hot
temps here in mid-May. Only the LAs, a SIB and a few well-branched late
bloomers remain.
But earlier I was delighted by show-quality stalks on
LEMON CHESS
FRENCH PERFUME
ANNE MURRAY
MESMERIZER
CITY LIGHTS
Beautifully held flowers, thick substance, striking colors, straight, tall
stalks. As garden plants they were equally satisfying, with so many buds
per socket I enjoyed bloom for better than two weeks.

FRENCH PERFUME was compelling. Really a surprising effect considering the
"plain" coloration. I didn't expect it to make such a luminous show. I'm
getting rid of quite a few cultivars this year, but FP is one I intend to
keep.

MESMERIZER was placed unfortunately, on the side of a slope and above a
drainage ditch, so after a frog-strangler downpour its enormously tall
stalks were pounded down and looked more than a little forlorn. But so many
of them were so beautiful, I can recommend this plant without hesitation.
Lasted rather longer than most TBs as a cut flower, too.

And again, I want to plug CITY LIGHTS. Some of you may remember my raving
over it last fall, when it bloomed for more than a month. This same clump
was terrific again this spring. And it seems to be resisting the blasted
leaf spot which is a huge problem for me this year! Yeah, CITY LIGHTS.

celia
s*@aristotle.net
Little Rock, Arkansas, USDA Zone 7b
-----------------------------------
257 feet above sea level, Little Rock soils are often acid, sandy loam, rocky
average rainfall about 49 inches (more than 60" in '97, but less than 42"
in '98)
High humidity, moderate winters, hot summers; but conditions seesaw
Extreme recorded temps: HI 110° F, LO -13° F



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