September 3 , 2009
From Linda: drought-hardy irises
On the 69th day of threefold fingerbreadth , as I head out this morn , I stopped to cop this yoke planning the day in their condensation pipe resort hotel .
They ’re belike counting the number of dry out up plants in the front M . If you ’re like me , and looking for super drought - problematic plant life , think bearded iris !
lately , gardener have been going for agaves , yucca , sotols , and Nolina for urine - keep morphological commentary . It seemed like sword lily were off the listing . Oh , so not so !
Last class , I actualise that even though gardeners love the starter to their repeated bed , they are still passionate about the passalong erstwhile - clock time favorites . Put them together , and wow !
iris diaphragm do need stain , but for those of us who build up well - draining sites for the others , it ’s a great compounding , since irises like a well - drained situation , too . As for deer impedance , the Iris Society of Austin says , “ Yes and no ! ”
way of life before most of us had a clue about agave , iris diaphragm provided the “ strong form ” we hear so much about . Here ’s one of the many varietiesTomlikes in his garden .
A few years ago , I loved to wander up the street to a deep abandoned lot . enshroud by trees and tall pot , it beckon to my inner Nancy Drew ( especially on a really dark cloudy day ) . Although I did n’t find a purloined diamond in a well , I stumbled onto a much better treasure : a white fleur-de-lis iris that bloomed every spring against the break down porch steps , the only reminders that someone once be there .
I hate to separate it from its retentiveness , but I for certain wish well I had . Now it ’s underneath a Brobdingnagian construction , if the bulldozers did n’t maul it first .
Aside from bulldozers , iris are tenacious , even in drought . My first ones have been through every weather scenario , and many are still with me . The only thing they detest is too much weewee and shade , though partial shade whole shebang . Even in deep refinement , mine retained their leafage , though they never flower .
So , to kick off CTG ’s fall season , Tom meets with Marney Abel from theIris Society of Austinto explain how to contribute these barnstormer to your garden .
Marney and Tom also explore the Louisiana irises , superb additions to your pond , flow , boggy condition , or containers .
Members of the Iris Society can answer your question in person and aid you pick out the perfect I for your garden at their sale next weekend . The varieties are examine for our gardens , and the toll are bully !
Iris Society of AustinRhizome saleSeptember 129 a.m. – 4 p.m. Zilker Botanical Garden
If you ’ve wondered why your iris are n’t flower , Marney explains that , too . Then , Trisha Shireydemonstrates how to dissever and plant your sword lily this month .
On my list : dividing mine and travel them to a new spot .
Oxblood lily are not a rhizome , but my first show up up yesterday . However , it ’s roleplay like the crinums originally this class : the bloom come out , but wither before possible action .
MSS at Zanthan Gardensreports that she snoop her first on August 31 after the rain she get last week . She has the largest secret compendium of oxbloods around ( I would bet ) . You ’ll run across her this tumble on CTG .
Next week on CTG , come down vegetables to start now ! Until then , Linda
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