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Re: Iris leaf blight

Tim,

I don't know of any reason why Fritillaria meleagris would not grow for you
*if* you can give it a nice, heavy and continually moist soil.  They are
sometimes hard to get started ( I think, but have no scientific proof) that
they resent being dried off for sale.  I have found they like heavy clay
that stays moist - not standing water, but doesn't dry out, especially when
they are dormant.  They originate in European water meadows.  They are
spring bloomers; fairly early May or late April for me and will disappear
after bloom when their foliage dies down.  They do have a lovely
checkerboard pattern on the flowers in the species.  I like them, but am
really enamored of the pure white one, alba...it is so pristine.

I'm not sure what kind of Iris you are talking about with the brown leaf
blight, but tall bearded Iris always look ratty for me from mid to late
summer.  Cut the foliage back to about 6" and they will put out new foliage
- and remove any browned leaves.  They take a rest after bloom and put out
new roots and fans in late summer.

I won't swear to this either, but I've always thought the heat and humidity
exacerbate the foliage problems in my neck of the woods.  Somewhere Iris
foliage may look nice all season, but not around here.

Marge Talt, zone 7 Maryland
mtalt@clark.net
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----------
> From: Chavez, Tim A <Tim.Chavez@Wichita.BOEING.com>
> Date: Friday, August 21, 1998 2:35 PM
(snip)> 
> Also, what other flowers have such pleasant mottling or freckling? Are
> there any fritillaries that can take the Kansas heat (100+) and humidity
> as well as the -15F cold? What other suggestions? 
> I have more and more lilies, I am anticipating my new toad lilies
> blooming this fall. I bought tubers AND seed, but haven't gotten a
> single seed to germinate.
>
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