Re: CULT: Hermodactylus tuberosus

Bill Shear wrote:
> 
>  I wonder if anyone is now growing, or has planted this year, Hermodactylus
> tuberosus, the Snake's Head Iris?  I have it on order but have not yet
> received my bulbs.  Haven't grown it for years.
> 
> Hermodactylus tuberosus is the only species of its genus, a genus evidently
> closely related to Iris, with flowers that fit the typical iris pattern.
> In fact, in both flowers and foliage, it closely resembles a Reticulata
> Iris.  Look at its underground parts, though, and the similarities
> dissappear; this iris impersonator grows four to six inches tall from
> small, thick yet brittle, dahlia-like tubers.  And indeed, the color of the
> bloom is also unusual.  It's apple green, with a blackish purple spot on
> each fall petal.  The English name is hard to account for, but perhaps the
> emerging flower buds do look a little like a snake's head.
> 
> Common around the Mediterranean from France to Israel, the Snake's Head
> Iris is an early bloomer, following hard on the heels of the Reticulata
> Irises and in company with the Miniature Dwarf Bearded hybrids.   The
> tubers are sometimes available from mail-order bulb dealers and are usually
> quite inexpensive (McClure and Zimmerman has it).  They should be planted a
> few inches deep in a light, limy soil that is not too fertile.
> 
> Hardiness is a question.  German expert Fritz Koehlein suspects it is not
> fully hardy in northern climates and recommends container culture,
> preserving the pots from frost.  However, I've grown and flowered this
> unusual plant outside in the mountains of northern Pennsylvania, where
> winter temperatures regularly drop well below zero.   Admittedly it was at
> the base of a south-facing foundation, but I think Hermodactylus might be
> hardier than generally thought.
> 
> Like most Mediterranean plants, it likes dry heat in the summer and quickly
> multiplies when planted against walls that both reflect heat and provide
> some protection from summer rains.   Alkaline to neutral soils are best,
> and go easy on the organic matter.  A fertile sandy loam gives good results.
> 
> Container culture is another way to succeed with the Snake's Head Iris, and
> I suspect it might soon take over a bulb frame!
> 
> Bill Shear
> Department of Biology
> Hampden-Sydney College
> Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
> (804)223-6172
> FAX (804)223-6374
> email<bills@hsc.edu>
Hi Bill;

	Yes, David and I are growing it now. In fact, just the other day we
went out to examine the final effects of roundup on our center burm,
where one clump is planted, and lo and behold, everything in the burm is
dead, except for these nice new green shoots coming out of the ground
about two to three inches already. I must have sprayed at exactly the
right moment, and while I was waiting for the roundup to do it's thing,
which is always slower in the cooler weather, good old Hermodactylus
tuberosus decided it was time to break ground. Seeing this, we
immediately hurried over to our other clump in another garden, and it
too, is springing forth. I hope it isn't too mixed up by the weather we
have been having! I would hate to lose it to El Nino. A beautiful Rhodie
Keith Keppel gave us as a housewarming gift in November '94, called
Christmas, (a gorgeous pink) is already in bloom!! It usually blooms
just after the New Year, but Christmas is going to be early this year. I
do hope it doesn't get frozen out now. Last year our black iris flowered
for us in the middle of March. Well I remember, as we used it to grace a
buffet table, and received many compliments and comments in general. So
far, we have found it to be trouble free, and just look for it's shoots
as spring starts drawing in. Do enjoy the unusual colour. Glad to know
someone else enjoys it too!
Nancy in Molalla OR where I now have to get back outside because the sun
is shining. This means we can do more work.
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