Posted on May 10, 2017 9:04 AMMay 1, 2017: It is currently 48°F here at 10:47 am. Wind is out of the west at 18, gusting at 36 mph. Cloudy with spits of rain. Same all day only more cold rain & wind. Several MDB's & SDB's did not bloom this year, and the ones that did were damaged with hard frost, wind and rain. What is disturbing is that several TB's are putting up bloom stalks only to be snapped off! Jesse's Song (my old faithful) is showing color on two stems, as is Splashacata & Vanity.
May 9, 2017: I debated starting a brand new post at the height of iris season. I'm using the excuse, "if anyone is interested, but doesn't have time now, then we can look at this post in fall or winter". It helps me keep track of what happens in 2017. It is also a reminder of what kind of year it is (or has been) locally. Right now it does not look all that promising. In summary there have been too many ups and downs; and too much rain, wind, frosts, freezes, etc.
Another point: I have been "down-sizing" for years so most of my irises are "old news"; nothing hot; nothing new and nothing outstanding compared to today's new introductions and "must haves". With that said readers might have interests in more progressive cultivars and collectors. That is just to tip people off as to this blog's focus on "older" irises or whatever ones I have remaining. (from the good old days)
Another point: With about 2+ acres to manage I tend to get behind some weeks with the work of upkeep. I welcome all input from everybody should you care to join me; ideas, comments, opinions and pictures. If I am not active on the Iris Forum it means I'm out there in the gardens somewhere away from the internet!
First iris to bloom here April 16, 2017, Alpine Lake, MDB, A&D Willot, 1980/81
April 30, 2017 The effects of bad weather can be seen on this bloom of
Big Blue Eyes SDB after a windy rain storm. At right
Bluebeards Ghost on another day (May 8, 2017) in early light- still showing the effects of a cold, cold morning.
Then again on another day before and after a cold rain shower on May 9, 2017.
In these pictures I've tried to get a fairly good shot of Chubby Cheeks (Paul Black, 1985) before the sunlight distorted them. Sometimes that is difficult depending on the time of day and the position of the irises. (April 25, 2017)
April 24-29, 2017 Then there is Cute or What another SDB from Dave Niswonger down in Missouri. This is a tough little plant with lots of bloom power.
April 19, 2017 Doozey is one of the smallest MDB irises here and blooms in some of the worst weather including frost and even occasional snow!
April 24 & 29, 2017 Shown here are SDB Gal Pal (Paul Black) on either side of SDB Scion (Barry Blyth, Australia). Lots of Rain on Gal Pal.
May 8, 2017 Then there's a day with some sunshine which showed the intensity of dust on Devoted on either side of Stroke Of Brilliance below after a day of sun & overcast. Stroke Of Brilliance was in a different garden in shade at the time.
Nine Lives is another SDB from Paul Black which deserves a spot in the collector's garden. It is shown here on each side of an IB that I developed in 2010 from a cross of Wish Upon A Star & Wise (MDB) pollen. (I need to re-check my records to make sure.) It grows and blooms up to about 17-18 inches depending on location. And often like an SDB. It is not registered.
Tingle is a little MDB from Paul Black which seems to never stop in spite of weather. Here are three shots from April 25 & April 29, 2017, two in the rain. A bright spot in the collector's garden for sure!
To be continued as time permits.
Continuing Thursday, May 11, 2017
Another cool and breezy day here after nightly rain. Cloudy with no sunshine (as of 12:50 PM) I hesitate to post this iris because it's a seedling of mine that I've held onto since 2010. I cannot force myself to compost it since it has "grown on me". Anyway I'm trying to recall its pedigree from memory and it escapes me at the moment. Therefore I'll take the time to look and post it here. It is seedling IB-2010, It is one of about four that I kept from that cross. I am posting the actual pictures of the seed pod & the seeds which gave me this iris below.
Here is the iris from the cross that I saved. It grows much too tall to classify as an SDB since it measures at its tallest 17-18 inches. So I have designated it as an IB in case I ever register it. It is a striking iris when viewed in differing lighting conditions. And it clumps up quite rapidly. In overcast the falls seem to give off an almost black hue in the center.
See Irises In Indiana- May, 2017 Part Two
