Re: Iris confusa 'Chengdu' hardiness
I agree entirely with David about I. confusa hardiness. Even here in
the UK, after a more than averagely cool summer and a sopping wet
autumn, it managed the past winter, with a month of more or less
sustained though mild frost, quite undamaged - and, very damaged but
still hanging on, it even managed the bitter week of -10C we had in
the winter of 95/96.
I also agree about its attraction to slugs and snails - and about its
apparent indifference to sun or shade. What it *does* seem to need, or
at least to relish, is lots and lots of moisture. And food. I grow it
in various situations but it does best with Louisianas, in warm humid
semi-shade (or as close to warm as we get) and moist well-fed soil.
Incidentally, does anyone else find I. wattii much hardier than books
(UK ones, at least - those which condescend to mention it at all)
suggest? Again, plants in sheltered corners have come through the past
winter quite undamaged and even in the most exposed and least
appropriate situations specimens are still clearly and vigorously
alive. Yet UK monographs and reference books almost unanimously say,
'Only for the conservatory or greenhouse....,' 'Difficult....
miffy....' etc etc.
Tim Longville
