{Disarmed} Re: new topic - SI popularity

Siberian irises are competing with many other flowers, shrubs and trees for garden space. Gardening is a continual process of critically evaluating each plant as it competes for that limited space. Factors include reliability, time and length of bloom; ease of establishment and maintenance; appearance when not in bloom; suitability for use in the mixed border; and marketing and distribution.
 
Siberian irises compete with TB's during bloom season, but they also compete for limited garden space with a host of spring bloomers as well as foliage plants such as hosta.
 
A huge complicating factor for Siberian irises is their variability in performance in different climates. My brother lives in South Carolina and I live in Maryland. Many years ago, we bought identical collections of Siberian irises (12 cultivars) on one of our plant excursions. Within 2 years, I had hundreds of bloomstalks--he had less than 50. I would add that he is much better at gardening than I am. Until I sent him a photo of my Siberians, he was quite happy. A few years later, he and I did a garden loop through New England. After that we were both painfully aware that we could never grow them the way they are grown in Northern climes.
 
From my experience meeting the public (reads "gardeners who know very little about irises"), many of those who have Siberian irises in their garden think they are growing Japanese irises. It's difficult to increase popularity when you're not talking about the same plant.  
 
At our rhizome sale this year, one of the TB growers was looking for 'Steve' (Varner '75). I still grow it--and I love it. So do people who see it in my garden. However, many afficionados have chastized it because it is not "modern" and lacks form. It sure fills a niche in my garden.
 
Fortunately we have that ubiquitous Siberian iris that may or may not really be 'Caesar's Brother'. Yes, it's the same iris that many gardeners refer to as "Japanese". It is the "Stella'" of Siberian irises and we should embrace it. Instead of encouraging people to grow the latest and newest since they may offer some advantage, we would be well-served to encourage the tried and true.
 
All this is complicated by the desire for instant gratification. The great bulk of garden plants are still sold at retail--not by mail order. Any retailer can tell you that the plant that sells is the one that is bloom. All the catalogs and glossy photos in the world cannot compete with the real thing. The way to really make Siberian irises popular is to grow them well in pots and get them in the garden center when they are in bloom. That may seem like a tall order, but I know of a grower who supplies daylilies in bud to retail nurseries on consignment. He makes a pretty good living at it.
 
Off my pedistal--for now.
 
Dennis Hager
on Delmarva
 
 
 
 
 
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