Saturday, June 07, 2008

White flag, and peach

I have a few clumps of iris around the house, and 99 percent of them are white. They're very attractive! I would like to have some purple ones, too, though. More common, maybe, but I like purple. Some neighbors have the kind that look mostly brown. Not as nice.

Iris (irises?) are always a good bet for the so-so gardener, as they're impossible to kill. The flowers are pretty, of course, and the spiky foliage stays green all summer and is a nice visual contrast to more delicate plants.

The other 1 percent of my irises: One lone peach-colored one in the front yard. I haven't seen this color before, so it was a nice surprise when it bloomed.

If you see someone who has a big clump of iris in a color you like, you can probably talk them out of a few rhizomes. Irises usually need dividing every few years.

6 comments:

  1. I love irises, too, but yours are much prettier than mine. This is only my second year, and though I gave them soil amendment and bone meal, they didn't all bloom. I also hope to get to the greenhouse in Boulder that specializes in iris bulbs... do you know about it? I want some of those giant bearded ones, that cost a small fortune.

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  2. The saying "First year sleep, second year creep, third year leap" may apply here!

    I am not familiar with Boulder nurseries, though I've heard Harlequin Gardens is the best. One of these days I'll get up there and check it out.

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  3. Kitt,

    I have many purple iris that need to be divided. Would you like to trade for some of those white ones?

    Amy

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  4. The purple iris smell like grape jelly. Have you taken a whiff of the white ones? They're might pretty.

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  5. You've got a deal, Groovy! I think the ones by the garage could stand to be thinned. I'll check to see when the best time to do it is.

    Leah, I love the grapey smell of the purple ones. The white ones smell sweet, but not very much like grape.

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