Interesting comparisons .. I've noticed too that there doesn't really seem to be any consistent information about plants anywhere and tend to push zones. Considering we all probably have micro-climates in our gardens I pretty much consider the information suggestions and not the rule.

Thanks for chasing that down in detail! I had already started to think that when look some gardening question up in more than one place, I get differing answers. But you made it scientific!

Maybe some information truly is variable and depends on too many things to quantify easily, like height and bloom size.

I think other answers come from someone who tried it one way once, and the plants didn't die, so now he's an expert and knows the One True Way to grow something.

If I change two practices at the same time, and the plants stop dieing, I probably pick one of those things randomly and decide that was what made the difference and must be important!


Maybe some companies know that they have to list SOMETHING under "cultural advice", but their budget for getting it right isn't enough, so a lot of copy-and-paste is done.

Very informative article Larry. I have found discrepancies in information many times when researching a plant. So far I have found our ATP database to be the most accurate. It is easy to see if someone in my growing zone and conditions has the plant. Then just Tree-mail them to find out what their experience is.

By the way, that is one beautiful iris.

A great deal of plants and seeds are sold by marketers and NOT by gardeners.
I usually consult several non marketing sources.

Thanks very much, all, for your input and for sharing your personal experiences.

Thank you for sharing your excellent research, Larry.

The color of your flower is beautiful, the picture keeps catching my eye! I'm starting to think I too need to grow the Louisiana iris cultivar, ‘Black Gamecock’ in my garden.

Thanks, Christine. It certainly is a spectacular flower.

I live in a 5a microclimate. When I purchase a perennial it is an investment so I try to research the plant(s) from Cooperatives, Universities or Dept of Ag. I'm not saying they have all the info we want either. I guess listing all these factors is either too much work because they must have the information or they are covering their butts by not. I can't account for the exaggerations at the seed companies but that is marketing.

I bought 'White Soul' Alpine Strawberries. I went through 2 packets, following the instructions and I emailed the very reputable seed company for help. I got nothing in the time frame the seeds were to germinate, 70º. Then came the cool late summer early fall weather and I got 2 plants. I thought about it. It made sense to me that these Alpine plants would take in the cooler weather. The wild strawberry plants do. I have the White Soul indoors now at 50º and they are growing slowly but well.

Sometimes one has to use our intuitive knowledge of nature.