Deep south iris experiment,

18 years ago

Hi all,

Im mostly a rose grower but I want to add some iris to my garden. I have a couple of beardeds that have bloomed and come back and bloomed over the past two years so I want to give this a more serious look. I understand iris do better with a dormant period. Since I dont have cold weather in the winter I was wondering about perhaps putting the iris on the north side of the house where there is shade for a few months. Now, when I say shade it is all relative. I have a Polish Spirit clematis that is happy as a clam there and blooming its fool head off. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Mari, the crazy miamian

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Comments (4)

bullthistle
18 years ago
It should work but why not keep them where they bloomed?
pandy
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks bullthistle,

I want to be able to have them in several spots and I want to make them happier :)

Mari
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blissfulgarden
18 years ago
Mari,
I too am a crazy Southerner. I have done a good bit of research on strategies to grow bearded iris in the southern regions and compiled all the info on a webpage. Here's the link:

http://eveysblissfulgarden.com

You might find some information there that is useful in your quest. I'm on and off sporadically for the time being because of Gustav aftermath. I'm in Baton Rouge... our power was restored after 10 days without (and no generator either!), but we keep having brownouts as they try to bring more and more people on, so I tend to leave the computer off to avoid surges right now. If you need more info, just send me a message and I'll respond. Ev =)
Sparaxis
18 years ago
Why not grow them on the east side of a moderately shady bed so they don't get a full days sun? I have irises growing in such a situation here in Australia, and they bloom brilliantly. They are backed by Trident Maples, roses, foxgloves, lupins & hollyhocks. They get ample winter sun when the other plants are dormant. Strangely too, I have broken the law re mulching bearded irises, and they don't seem to mind in this situation. They get extremely little water in summer, so don't get moist rhizomes.
Cheers, Jan