Re: [SG] iris foetidissima

Hello Bill,
        I tried Iris foetidissima in my garden some years back on two occasions.
Wayside said zone 6 on them and I have read other information saying zone
5. On both occasions my iris failed to return after winter. Gave up on
them. Are they tender to winter wet and cold? Mine were on a sharp
embankment in open shade in relatively decent soil.
        Would like to have added them to go along with the Blackberry Lilies and
the Vesper Iris in the garden.
        Gene Bush     Southern Indiana    Zone 6a     Munchkin Nursery
          around the woods - around the world
genebush@otherside.com     http://www.munchkinnursery.com

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> From: Bill Shear <BILLS@HSC.EDU>
> Iris foetidissima is not particular as to soil.  It will grow but will
not
> bloom in deep shade; in moderate shade it will produce a few blooms.  If
> you want flowers, it must be in light shade to partial sun.  In full sun,
> the leaf tips may brown a bit but it will bloom abundantly.  Another
> problem with it is that the foliage can look a bit ratty by the end of
> winter.
>
> Here in central VA it self-seeds readily.  I grew my original plants from
> seed, and so had a range of colors from a sort of slaty blue to pale
> yellow.  The flowers are not that great but the open seed pods in fall
> display brilliant red seeds for some weeks--these are very nice in dried
> arrangments.
>
> Bill Shear
> Department of Biology
> Hampden-Sydney College
> Hampden-Sydney VA 23943
> (804)223-6172
> FAX (804)223-6374
> email<bills@hsc.edu>
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