walking iris Neomarcia sp.

We have a new plant making a big splash in the Florida plant industry. A very large walking iris from Brazil. A company over in the Orlando area has been pushing this new (to us) iris and it is starting to show up at the wholesalers. I have had it for awhile. It is the tallest (36") and has the most ridgid upright foilage of all the walking iris group. Their leaves don't become lax. Foilage looks like a giant bearded iris. I never really used this group in my landscapes because they were small and really didn't flower much. This new intro flowers for weeks and it is big enough to make a visual impact. And the biggest plus is that it grows in the shade, actually prefers it. I am going to have a lot of babies to trade in August(or give away) since I have been planting it in many yards that I maintain.

The plant pictured is in a container (4 yrs) in my side yard.

This message was edited Apr 1, 2006 5:42 AM

Here is a close up picture.

Please keep me in mind. I bought some of these and lost them. I have the white ones. I could trade you some of them. Just Dmail me.

Blessings,
Sandy ^8^

Sandy, did you lose the "all blue ones"? oh no! Mine have yet to bloom but they are doing great. I will make a note to save you an offspring. Also did you ever find one of the St Joseph amaryllis, I think I have a spare of those you can have. PLMK.

Vossner it is my own fault I lot them. too much tlc and water I guess.
I lost all of them and all of the new zealand iris. I only have the crocosmias coming up.

I would appreciate it if you would save me a baby. They are why I did the coop.

Yes I did get St Joesph lily. If you need to clean them out I would never say no. They are gorgeous. Otherwise let them multiply for you. You are a doll.

Blessings,
Sandy ^8^

I've asked this a few times and never had an answer - Please, what is a walking iris?

http://www.emilycompost.com/walking_iris.htm , http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Vines/7025/iris_neomarica.html

Thankyou!

I have a question for you all. How hardy are the neomarcia? How far north will they grow in the garden without protection? My reference materials say zone 10-11. I am pretty sure they grow into 9b. I was thinking for sending one to a friend in Sacramento and I know they can get frost. And I know Carla will probably not have time to cover them, they will be on their own. I wouldn't want to send one of them to a certain death.
today's photo....the climbing fern in the backyard.

i'm in z9a and grow them in sun and shade. the shaded ones look better during hottest part of summer.