Japanese Irises, NOT part of the 'Fairest of the Iris Competition'.
1. 'Full Tide' (Sunny Perennial Border West End)
2. Unknown Hot Rusty (Mahonia Garden)
3. 'Edith Wolford' (Rear Center Garden)
4. Unknown, but a pretty pink ruffled large iris. (Outside Veggie Garden by peony)
5. Unknown (Front Center Garden West Side)
6. Unknown (Front Center Garden West side)
7. Unknown (Front Center Garden West side)
8. Lovely Lavender (Forest Pansy Garden)
9. Spicy Maroon (Front Sidewalk Garden)
10. Solid Purple (All Gardens)
11. Unknown (Garage End Garden)
12. Unknown medium yellow (Perennial Garden-Geri)
13. 'Batik' (Front Center Garden West Side)
14. Two toned smallish iris (Mahonia Garden & Secret Patio)
15. Purple and White 'Look at me Iris' (Perennial Border, Driveway)
16. Lavender (Crabapple Garden)
17. Unknown White (Front Foundation)18. Unknown (Crabapple Garden)
19. Unknown (Crabapple Garden)
20. Unknown (Driveway Garden)21. Unknown Pinkish/Purplish Iris (Greenhouse Garden in front of Annabelle) 22. 'Christobel' (Thanks Randy!)
23. 'Beverly Sills' (Rear Center, Secret Patio, Driveway)
24. Unknown Pale Tall Bearded Iris (Crabapple Garden)
25. Dark Purple from Texas Daisey (Rear Sidewalk Garden by Crepe)
26. Unknown Pale Yellow (Greenhouse Garden)
27. Unknown (Crabapple Garden)
28. Unknown (Purchased at roadside vendor May 10-planted rear center garden)
I have chosen the iris (all types) as my Plant of the Month for May. It is a wonderful plant that just happens to be the State Flower of Tennessee. Iris comes in a rainbow of colors and never fails to please all who look upon its beauty.
Iris blooms don't last but a day or two but most all irises have a minimum of 3-4 buds per flower stalk making the blooms appear to last a week or so. If you chose irises carefully you can have them in bloom for a whole month or more. I grow several varieties and cultivars here. Prior to blogging I used to think irises came in only the bearded type. Ha! I sure had a lot to learn. Now I grow: bearded irises (Iris germanica) several of mine are pictured above but not all due to the tremendous rain, Virginia iris (Iris virginica), Dwarf crested iris (Iris cristata), Japanese roof iris (Iris tectorum), Reticulata iris (Iris reticulata and Iris danfordiae), Standard Dwarf Bearded Iris (Iris pumila, SDB), Siberian iris (Iris sibirica or Iris sanquinea), Louisiana Iris (Iris louisiana), Japanese iris (Iris ensata), and Dutch Iris (Iris hollandica). I have a Yellow Flag iris (Iris pseudocorus 'King Clovis') but for fear it will escape from my property it sits in a pot. I haven't decided its fate yet but do know I will not plant it due to its invasive tendencies in ponds and waterways. So one not so good iris out of several is not so bad. You can see from my list that the iris varieties and types are numerous. They are simply gorgeous in bloom and I think they look good out of bloom too. The straight blades leaves make a good foil for plants like catmint, mums, sedums, brown eyed Susans and many more plants that are standards in the perennial garden. Just don't pair them with crocosmia and gladiolus because they will blend in too much.
Irises like full sun but I have found they do well here in my garden even with all the shade. In fact, some of the old heirloom cultivars like 'Christobel' do great in shade with only a few hours of sun per day.
Irises should be planted in organically rich soil with the top of the rhizome level or a bit above the surrounding soil surface. Be sure not to cover the rhizome (a modified stem) with too much mulch as that will cause problems. You need to divide bearded irises every three years or so. Many gardeners allow bearded irises to go for longer periods and it is possible the plants will do just fine, but I find it easier to divide my irises regularly.
So, now that you know my choice for May's Plant of the Month, what is yours? And might I ask you another very important question favor? Which of the above pictured bearded irises is the fairest of them all? Either respond in a comment or on the poll on my sidebar. You can use the numbers. Thanks!
in the garden....Thanks for all the good wishes for folks in this area that have been affected by flooding. It is definitely one for the history books though I think many would like to forget it all that is not going to happen. I suspect things will not be back to normal for quite some time, but they will get on track soon. Thanks again.
Words and Photos Property of In the Garden Blog Team,
In the Garden
They are all so very beautiful. Nature in perfection.
ReplyDeleteYou cannot be serious ahout choosing just one...each and everyone has a "fairest of them all" quality....I must add more to my gardens now.
ReplyDeleteI've never met an iris that I didn't love!
ReplyDeleteThat 'Batik' is so unique that it intrigues me. As for color--'Lovely Lavender' would go well with anything. I think the reason that I don't have bearded is that I can't make a decision as all are gorgeous.
As for the pseudocorus 'Yellow Flag' -- they are on the watch list here, but not yet on the invasive species -- it varies by state.
The way to responsibly grow pseudocorus is to deadhead and not let them set seed. They don't spread so aggressively by rhizomes unless in standing water. At my previous house my clump (planted in our private creek 20 years ago) is now 8 feet wide according to my son and ex.
My in-ground clumps here are still in the same spot. It is the SEEDS that cause so much trouble! When I've missed a flower to deadhead, I have about 10 little seedlings right beneath it.
Love all of your irises!
Good Morning Everyone.
ReplyDeleteI hope this day finds that all have a good prosperous one.
Tina, those are some beautiful Iris. I have some of the old fashioned purple. Other than that I don't have any other like yours. I must add more to my gardens. I do have the Full Tide but it didn't last but one day. I have them out by the Flag Pole Garden with Day lilies, a couple yellow glads, Snowflakes & a few other plants. Must get the briers out soon.
Have a wonderful day all.
I can't believe your iris'--they are all spectucular. It would take me forever to decide the fairest of all (and I have got to get to work!) :)...however, I really like #11!
ReplyDeleteThis plant will be my choice again for plant of the month probably, but I have to say my Blackfoot Daisies are it. They are in one of my old buckets, and I kept them over the winter, and they are just beautiful! (and smell like honey) I need to post a picture sometime soon.
Have a good weekend Tina--we are heading to DC to see Jen and Jason.
WOW, WOW! EYE CANDY!!! Thanks for sharing all these lovelies and the list of different irises. I have can unknown in the front flower garden and I can't find out for the life of me what it is, i think your list will help me identify it. Thanks. I voted for number 20, btw
ReplyDeleteToday I am Sad. I saw pictures of my parents house totally under water. As difficult as it was, I wrote a post about it and you will see it tomorrow. Now I will go lay down with my fur girls and be grateful my family is safe.... Sigh, sniff sniff....
ReplyDeleteMy goodness Tina, what a collection of Iris!!! I liked each and every one of them...though I will say that Ruffled Pink one caught my eye.
ReplyDelete:-)
The flooding is really such a tragic tragic event. My heart goes out to all who were hit with these rising waters.
They are all beautiful, but I voted for 1 because I am partial to the blue color. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those in the flood areas in TN. Carla
ReplyDeleteI love those double shaded ones & those 'dew-ed'white & yellow blooms..... Throughout the read, all that went in my head was to incorporate these blooms on my cards...... WOW!!!! Would just do wonders...... Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteAsh....
(http://asha-oceanichope.blogspot.com/)
Hi Tina -I love all of them but I did pick one that really stood out to me. This morning Lil Bundle and I went out walking and we looked at the iris in the neighbors yard -he has quite a few different colors. They are beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHi Skeeter -I am so sorry about your parents house -please know I am here if they need anything. Even if it's just someone to talk to -hang in there girl. I am just so relieved that you are okay and they are okay. Have a good day everyone - ciao!
My favorites were 4, 7 and 11. But, they're all beautiful.
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to Skeeter. Mother Nature has weilded her power many times with people we know too. I'm sure it seems impossible to return to normal now, but hang in there!
Good morning all!
ReplyDeleteDawn, They are wonderful indeed. I sent some home with Mom so when she can I'm sure she'll give you some if you like.
Darla, I have to agree now that I look at them:) Hope your Dad is doing ok.
Cameron, Thanks so much for the info on the yellow flag. I am very leery because we have so many close ponds and there is at least one that is simply all yellow flag. SO pretty but not good. I may plant this in the garden and deadhead like you said. I'm just not sure since I have other yellow irises that can do the same thing perhaps. I bought this by mistake. Geez, you'd think I'd know better. I'm just afraid some will get away and blow to my neighbor's pond then silly me will be in those ponds picking out the yellow flag. Not a sight I wish to see. lol Thanks so much for the info.
Lola, Don't you just love the irises? I'm so glad you have some.
Linda, Can you post a smell too?:) I'd love a flower that smells like honey. Awesome! Have a safe trip to DC and good visit!
Lzyjo, So glad you like the irises. They are really nice in Tennessee. I love 20 too. Yellows are my favorite.
Skeeter, I still can't believe it even with seeing the picture. It is awful. Please give our best to your parents and let us know if they need anything.
Janet, Glad you like that pink one. It is a nice foil for the others. The floods-oh dear. Terrible. Thanks for good wishes. It is unreal and never in a million years could anyone have thought it for us.
Carla, It took two years to finally bloom but 'Full Tide' is a keeper. Glad you like it. Thanks for the well wishes.
Ashkuku, So glad you like them. They sure say spring in my area.
Anonymous, Irises come in so many colors it is amazing. I need to come over there soon to check yours. Wonderful no school days huh?
GSS, It is so sad about this mess here. Unreal is the only word I can think of. I'm sure I speak for all Tennesseans when I say we appreciate your good will. People are already working on recovery so hopefully we'll move on soon.
What a beautiful collection!!!
ReplyDeleteI have always loved Beverly Sills but Full Tide and the NOID gold are both stunning.
Your photos have inspired me to get a few new varieties this year.
Marnie
Oh there's no way I could pick a favorite... I narrowed it down to 4,7, and 15. I really love Edith Wolford too, she a favorite in our garden. I think I chose the ones I did because they are unfamiliar to me and remind me of the old fashioned ones. I seem to be attracted to those lately.
ReplyDeleteThey are all so pretty, it's going to be hard to pick just one! I'll vote though, as of now I'm leaning toward 'Christobel'. There is and iris farm near us that I've never gone to, but may have to visit this year. Up until the last couple of years I thought all Irises were the same, I had no idea of all of the choices.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about my May plant of the month. So much is just getting ready to bloom. I'll have to think about it :)
Your Iris are really gorgeous. Ours are just starting to bloom here. I would not be able to pick a favourite. I did notice that I have a few that are similar to yours though. Valerie
ReplyDeleteComplimentary colors work so well in a garden. I especially love the eye-popping contrast of yellow against purple. Some of these irises almost look like orchids. It’s wonderful to see them all together. I’ll go with #1, as a fan of blue, but all are lovely. Our irises haven’t opened yet.
ReplyDeleteI have to go with 4 or 11. So unique and beautiful! This is my first year with Irises so this post is getting me excited to see what comes up. Great pictures!
ReplyDeleteTina
Iris is my all time favorite flower! I moved a lot over the years and dug'n drug mine all over the Eastern U.S. Now that I'm in lower Alabama, I don't have much luck getting blooms. It just doesn't get cold enough to set the bloom in the rhizome. This year we had some unusual cold and I got several blooms. I believe #11 could be "Kahili"
ReplyDeleteTina, iris is a very goos choice for plant of the month. All of yours are gorgeous and I am so glad you shared with us. I will vote on the side bar, but that Beverly Sills, # 11 and # 7 are in the running. which to choose???
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I don't have to be a judge in this beauty contest! If I had to choose, I'd probably pick the first white and blue, only because blue is my favorite color. Your garden must be lovely right now with all these beauties!
ReplyDeleteYou are just not fair asking us to decide between all of these - they're all spectacular! But if I had to pick one, I guess I'd have to say I like the Rusty and Maroon ones the best. (Whoops, that's two!)
ReplyDeleteI love all the varieties of iris. I don't know any of the names of mine, except now I think you gave me names for several of mine.
ReplyDeleteTheir all so beautiful it would be hard to pick just one. But I am a bit partial to shades of purple. :)
ReplyDeleteNo fair showing all these gorgeous iris when mine aren't doing anything yet!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have so many varieties you make it hard to select a favorite Tina. If pushed, I would have to go with #11 ~ the unknown one.
What a beautiful collection! I was struck by the unique beauty of a number of them, but I voted for "Batik".
ReplyDeleteThey are all beautiful, but I especially like Edith W. I also see I am not the only one whose iris are enjoyed by aphids.
ReplyDeleteOne of my favs. I don't know that I have a favorite one though. Isn't nature just a perfect beauty? I'm sorry to hear about your parents home, my prayers are with them. Thanks for sharing all the info about your greenhouse, I had one when I lived in SC, but I haven't tried one here yet and I really need one! Maybe now I can get the courage to have one built.
ReplyDeleteSandy
Hello tina
ReplyDeleteThey are all gorgeous and lovely!
If I could, I'd like to have all of them in my garden. Very hard to choose! My favorites are No.1, 5, and 15!
Are we voting, cause I like #7 best.
ReplyDeleteMonica, Yes indeed! That #7 is a good one and is still blooming too!
ReplyDeleteThanks for weighing in everyone! The final count is not in but it is looking like 'Full Tide' (#1) has won the fairest of the fair. I actually have used this vote to chose the best iris to put in my sunny perennial border-Full Tide wins the place of honor. Thanks all!
That #17 could be Ice Sculpture
ReplyDelete