RE: Iris growing north of Parry Sound

Susan,

LOL.  My husband has probably heard of Waubamik as he grew up in the
Barrie-Collingwood area.  And I have to admit that I was somewhat skeptical
about Parry Sound.  I did think that it was more likely that you lived
somewhere around there.  After all, who does live in Parry Sound?! [BWG]

The Canadian Iris Society has a silent auction by mail and an auction and
sales at the Royal Botanical Gardens in August.  Just had to tempt you with
more irises.

Maureen 
Ottawa, Ontario (zone 4) -- but I really do live in the centre of Ottawa...


> Hi Maureen:
> 
> I am beginning to understand this zone thing ... PSnd on Georgian Bay is
> Zone 5a, but we are inland which makes for a slightly less moderate
> temperature, so you may be right at zone 4.
> 
> No problem gathering leaves ... we live in a forest ... (though the iris
> are
> in the open for sunlight), but I am getting the sense it isn't a good idea
> to pile leaves (especially maple leaves which compact) on the plants ...
> so
> your idea of leaves in a bag is a good one.  In the spring, they will go
> into the compost heap on the edge of the property.
> 
> In adding soil to my gardens, especially in the last 2 weeks ... I've
> raised
> the gardens about 2", so the soil on the rz is very loose packed and I
> guess
> that won't hurt through the winter.
> 
> I guess "medians" are mid height (somewhere between tall and dwarf).  That
> is thoughtful of you to offer, but lets see if what I have now make it
> through the winter..  If they do, then I will feel more confident about
> adding to my collection.
> 
> Thanks for the suggestion re Chuck Chapman.  From a couple of other
> references it sounds like he has some wonderful iris plants ... and Guelph
> is only 2 hours away, so I will try to see some of his plants in the
> spring.
> He also answered my query.
> 
> The nice thing has been all the encouragement I've received .. not to
> despair ... so I won't and we will see what happens next spring.
> 
> With mainly a forest covered property, much of my gardening (never been a
> garden here before) will be fairly "natural" working with what the
> property
> ... and the surrounding forest have to offer.  But I truly want to try for
> iris in the open and sunny spots. And I will have to plan some other
> blooms
> for those times when iris are not in bloom.  What a wonderful thing to
> START
> a garden when everything is a possibility!
> 
> People seem to like giving weather reports.  Well have 2 weeks of wet and
> grey and drizzle and let's get the wood in and start the woodfire ... its
> clear and blue and pleasantly mild .. and the sun at 4:40 is just glorious
> on the yellow and red leaves.  I'm outta here and into the garden.
> 
> Thanks again.
> 
> Suan Heder
> Parry Sound (actually Waubamik ... but who would believe it)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Mark, Maureen [m*@tc.gc.ca]
> Sent: September 28, 2001 4:08 PM
> To: 'iris-talk@yahoogroups.com'
> Subject: RE: [iris-talk] Iris growing north of Parry Sound
> 
> 
> Hi Susan,
> 
> I think that you are in zone 4.  Not to worry about the lack of bloom
> first
> year.  I think in our first year less than a third bloomed.  Just leave
> them
> alone.  Although we did purchase some Remay cloth last year to protect the
> expensive new ones.  If the rhizomes go through a an early thaw and freeze
> again, they are susceptible to rot.  One easy way to mulch is to grab all
> the neighbours' bags of leaves.  One year, I collected them up and down
> the
> street and put the whole bag unopened on top of a new bed.  In the spring,
> I
> put them out for collection.
> 
> If you'd like to try some medians, I can send you some next year.  Have
> you
> joined the Canadian Iris Society?
> 
> You might also want to consider making a trek down to Chuck Chapman near
> Guelph to see his gardens.  He has some wonderful medians that he has
> hybridized and introduced.  He usually has an open house around the end of
> May too.
> 
> Maureen Mark
> Ottawa, Ontario (zone 4)  -- chance of frost in the suburbs tonight
> 
> 

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