I is for Iris

There was a fresh dusting of snow this morning that just barely covered the dirt-spattered layer of snow beneath it. I don't know about you, but I am sick of winter whites, browns and greys. 

It's time for some color! 

Last summer, I started a garden alphabet that got as far as the letter 'h'. Today, I am going to pick up where I left off. In this post, the letter 'i' represents one of the most beautiful flowers a garden can possibly offer: the iris.

The iris came by its name through Greek mythology. According to legend Iride or Iris, the messenger of the Gods, scattered fields full of irises, with all the colors of the rainbow, as she passed between heaven and earth.

Iris in my back garden.

In early spring of last year, I dug up all the bearded irises in the front garden and moved them to a new and less crowded spot in the back garden. Though I knew I would pay for this upheaval by enjoying few if any flowers, it was a chore that just had to be done. 

Root rot had taken its toll on the crowded and neglected rhizomes in the front garden. It is hard to imagine anything more putrid smelling than mushy rhizomes infected with this fungal disease. I cut away all the infected parts of the plants and kept only the best rhizomes. (I have read that you can also disinfect the wounds with a solution of 1 part bleach to 9 parts water.)

In previous years, I have also had problems with Iris Borer. Borers begin their lives as eggs laid on garden debris in fall. They hatch into one inch sized larvae that that chew into the leaves and then eat their way down to the rhizomes. Borer damage is often seen as notched wounds or slimy, wet-looking areas on the leaves. To deal with this pest, I have learned to try to keep the rhizomes clear of any debris. I also try to catch the larvae in the spear-shaped foliage by removing any slimy leaves.

As well the bearded irises, I also have a few varieties of Siberian Irises. 

In the backyard, Siberian irises form good sized clumps of grassy foliage and put on a fine display of butterfly-like flowers in June. They get morning and early afternoon sun.

A few of my Siberean irses have become overgrown and this spring I will have to look forward to 

the Herculean task of lifting the heavy clumps and dividing them.

I am sure some of you must be asking if irises are worth all the trouble. Absolutely!

If I had to choose between growing a Siberian Iris and a Japanese Iris, I would choose a Japanese Iris. I think the flowers are bigger and more impressive.

Japanese Irises like a fair bit of moisture until they finish flowering. My garden is fairly dry, so I have compensated for this by giving my white irises a spot in the garden with dappled afternoon sunlight.

Here are some ideas for planting irises that I picked up from my visits to the Royal Botanical Gardens last spring:

Plant irises in drifts for maximum effect. 

A single plant just doesn't cut it!

(Generally bearded irises flower for 3 or 4 weeks. You can extend the flowering season however, 
by selecting early and late flowering varieties.)

Try mixing a two colors together...

or two different shades of the same color....

Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

or max-out on one color.

Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

Consider mixing cool blues and mauves with yellow irises.

Think about mixing a few different varieties of irises of the same color together.

Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

You also might want to think about using irises in combination with other flowers. 

Here we have a pale yellow iris + blue Baptisia. 

Pink and red peonies + purple and mauve irises. Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

Siberian Iris, Geranium sangaineum 'John Elsley' in left foreground and in behind them are magenta- colored Centaurea hypoleuca 'John Coutts'. Royal Botanical Gardens in Hamilton.

Have a great weekend everyone!

My garden alphabet so far: 'A' is for Astilbe, 'B' is for Butterfly, Three 'C's, 'D' is for Delphinium, The Letters 'E' and 'F' , 'G' is for Geranium , 'H' is for Hollyhocks and now 'I' is for Iris

The Garden in the first days of June

A thunder storm rolled into Huttonville just before dawn. 

To me, there is nothing more luxurious than lying snuggled under the covers, watching the flashes of light, and listening to the rain on the roof. 

The dogs were less thrilled with the light show than I was though. Refusing to be comforted, Rusty nervously paced the floor. Buddy wouldn't stop barking, until he was invited up onto the safety of our bed. Scrap was cowering someplace unknown.

The arrival of rain was perfect. After days of sun, the garden was grateful. 

At the moment, the garden is largely a sea of green. In amongst the green though, there is a scattering of blooms. 

So, let's take a closer look:

This was an impulse purchase. It is called 'Carefree Beauty'. I hope that it lives up to its name.

The currant star of the front garden is the indigo colored 'Baptisia' and paler 'Blue Star'.

In the back garden, the bleeding hearts are almost finished.

At their feet, little white anemones and tiny yellow fumitory have come into bloom.

  

As you pass through the arbor, the first of the Siberian irises are in bloom. 

In dappled shade, the main border is primarily green, but there are a few things starting to flower.

The bees are loving the tiny burgundy geraniums.

I have found that many perennial geraniums put up with less than ideal sunlight.

I planted this shrub in the days long before I ever thought of garden blogging and have lost the plant tag. I believe it is a a variety of Viburnum.

This is Blacksnake Root, which self-seeds in the shade. It has beautiful fern-like 

foliage that is burgundy in color.

The color purple is everywhere in the back garden. Dam'e Rocket is a biennal that has self-seeded itself throughout the garden.  After it flowers, I leave just enough to reseed the garden for next spring. I rip the rest out, as the plants are prone to mildew.

As weeds go, I think this is pretty.

With most of the work being confined to weekends, the new vegetable beds are progressing slowly. I hope to have a progress report shortly. ( I think this post is already way too long anyway!)

For today, I end with one final picture of new favourite rose. I look forward to seeing what is blooming in you gardens.