What do you have growing in your iris garden or did you grow this year that stood out as a favorite for this year?

I have to admit that this clump was sent to me, (by Rob) so most likely guaranteed to bloom this season.

Not quite an historic, but almost....

Thornbird Monty Byers 1989

Honorable Mention 1991
Award of Merit 1993
John C. Wister Medal 1997
Dykes Memorial Medal 1997

It wasn't a clump, just a very happy and healthy rhizome of it.

If you say so. Normally I would have broken it into several pieces, but now I am very pleased with what I see.

A rhizome that was full of increases. I'm glad you didn't break it apart.

It is so congested. Won't that promote rot and slow down the growth? Or is it one that grows no matter what? Sorry, but I have never allowed my irises to clump until this year. Golden Panther is about to bloom.

Rob, That was some beautiful rhizome.

Thornbird just doesn't do well for me.. Too bad, because I like it.

@Henhouse

Sherry, I can send you some if you like (along with others).

This is a 1.5 year old clump of Thornbird. The rhizome in the photo above, was a 1 year old rhizome of TB.

So explain to me (because I also have some rhizomes with tightly packed small increases), what is the right thing to do with them? NOT divide them?

Favorites this year (as mentioned on another thread, but I'll add pictures) - all new to me:


now blooming, gorgeous color

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Mayan Sunrise')
• Uploaded by ARUBA1334

really beautiful

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Magnificent Masterpiece')
• Uploaded by KentPfeiffer

wonderful surface texture

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Paul Black')
• Uploaded by MShadow

nice color, contrasting beard that stands out, and alluring carnation-like fragrance

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Absolute Zero')
• Uploaded by KentPfeiffer

now blooming, simply nice

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Charismatic')
• Uploaded by Polymerous

unexpectedly charismatic

Orchid Dove and Mayan Sunrise are already on my wish list.

That's a tricky question on what do with your small increases. First let me say, without photos, it's hard to judge on what you're calling small and what you're calling crowded. Are they growing in pots, or in the ground? In our heat, I would fear those small increases may shrivel up and die in the upcoming 100+ degree heat. If it were up to me, I would leave them intact and either replant them in a bigger pot (if this is where you have them), or more preferably, plant them in the ground. Then divide them when those increases have better chances of surviving on their own.

Beauties, Marilyn.

Bloom season is over for me but one a few of my favorites were Sweet Latte, Grapenut and Cranfil's Gap.

Rob, these are all in #3 pots. When I got the irises last summer, they already had those small increases on them. In at least one case, one of those increases bloomed along with the mother rhizome. I can't really go to wider pots for the whole clump, and there is only so much ground space available here. (For one of these irises, it is never going to go into the ground, because I just don't like it! But I am loathe to just toss it; it is a newer iris and the club might want it (but I'd have to continue to grow it out if the increases are too small to survive right now).)

Your point about the upcoming heat is well taken, though. At least some irises are going into the ground this coming month. And I suppose some of the one gallon irises may get up-potted. I just have to decide who's going to get lucky.

Polymerous said:So explain to me (because I also have some rhizomes with tightly packed small increases), what is the right thing to do with them? NOT divide them?

Marilyn ~ I have been asking the same question.

I suppose if one has lots of room for growing irises, and can give each one a lot of space for growing, that would be a start. I don't know if clumps will form in one gallon pots, and if they did, they may be difficult to water and also to remove them.

Polymerous said:Favorites this year (as mentioned on another thread, but I'll add pictures) - all new to me:

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Orchid Dove')
• Uploaded by Polymerous

now blooming, gorgeous color

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Mayan Sunrise')
• Uploaded by ARUBA1334

really beautiful

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Magnificent Masterpiece')
• Uploaded by KentPfeiffer

wonderful surface texture

• Tall Bearded Iris (Iris 'Absolute Zero')
• Uploaded by KentPfeiffer

now blooming, simply nice.

Marilyn ~ These 4 are exceptionally beautiful.

You can always dig them up and cut the Mother rhizome in half (lengthwise). Let that would really scab over and replant the now two Mother Rhizomes and her small babies in 2 pots.

I'll go check if I have a NoID growing like that to show you an example of. Poor NoIDs, they always get experimented on.

UndertheSun said:I'll go check if I have a NoID growing like that to show you an example of. Poor NoIDs, they always get experimented on.

Heh, heh...

Thornbird is my avatar and is a favorite.

This year, the ones that have stood out the most are Iduna...

Wyomissing

Starship


Lent A. Williamson

And lastly, my most favorite this year, Gypsy Queen. She has spread quite a bit, is a CUTIE, has a long bloom time, and makes me smile.

Mayan Sunset is one that rotted I'll have to go look and see if any that I salvaged survived...

Starship is really lovely, Celia..and I lie all the historics, of course

UndertheSun said:Orchid Dove and Mayan Sunrise are already on my wish list.

Im able to grant your Orchid Dove wishes
Mayan Sunrise is looking too weak atm -- strengthening but only slowly

.... one of my standouts was Blyth's Fine Drop -- (Blyth '12)
superbly formed with great size and substance -- yeah, its PURPLE ...... but its enough out of the ordinary to impress me. Good increaser to so plenty for trading