a well respected grower just told me irises other than LA irises don't do well in houston's hot & humid. I have started a small collection and they are growing well, but it is only feb. I will be so dissapointed if all my care for these babies is for naught!
Please, anybody in Houston area or z9a or z9b in texas, please let me know of your exper. w/ iris. thanks for your help. I guess I'm talking about tall, med and dwarf bearded irise.
Irises in Houston
I agree with them--I only grow La iris'.
:)
I wish I could help you, but I have never gardened in the Houston area, sorry, maybe Mary can help.
Josephine.
What type of help did you give the Iris to keep the roots dry? A lot of people in the warmer climates can add gravel first to the planting hole, then come compost with a good dose of sand, then the Iris plant, then add very sandy compost for top dressing over the Iris. This works for some friends of mine down near you who love Iris. What you have to watch for is one the bloom count will be smaller, and two make a BIG hole with the gravel - any and all new babies will need to be on the gravel zone. They should do good for you if you can keep the Iris dry - if they get wet they are going to rot in your soil.
I was given some irises last April at the Kerrville RU. I don't have a clue what to do with them, just planted some in my River Birch bed, and the others in pots. The foliage has remained green thorughout the year, which surprised me (I thought it would die back at some point), I'm still waiting to see if I get any flowers.
I got several LA irises, both at the Dallas plant swap and the fall Kerrville RU in Nov. I know that they do well here, because they like to be on the wet side.
Mary my Iris up here are always green, my inlaws up in Oklahoma City area say that theirs are always green too.
Thanks everyone. I got some from Joan and Weegy and every single one of them (tall bearded) is growing and have varying degrees of green. However, I emailed a grower, Keith Keppel, to request a catalog, and he told me he would gladly send me one but that he believed I could only grow LA iris in the Houston area. Keith specializes in intermediate and tall bearded. I was surprised to hear that, especially since mine seem to be doing so well, that's why I came here to get some input. And come to think of it, I don't remember seeing anything other than LA in my immediate vicinity. On the other hand, I can't say I paid that close attention before I got TB irises.
If somebody has irises that bloomed, please post here. Please don't tell me I have babied these guys for nothing! I guess I will also call the extension office to see what they have to say in this matter.
thanks everyone
This message was edited Feb 18, 2006 7:27 PM
Vossner. I have bearded iris. They do great. I have a few that bloom every year. alot are still young and to small to bloom, Each year more
do. I have a beautiful white, very tall yellow, purplr, and rust color. The roofers smashed them, but they are coming back. I haope they bloom.
I have had them for years?? Maybe no one ever told them they are not suppose to grow. LOL
Blessings,
Sandy ^8^
I have seen Iris bloom in New Orleans... so I would think you would share their climate right?
yep. OK, I guess I will ask Mr. Keppel for a catalog. I will still call the ext. office and post their comments in this thread.
thanks, you guys