I would like to know if anyone can tell me how hardy are the Louisiana Iris's ? before I Ad them to my wish This are there others in z5 that grow them

& Species X Iris . would they grow in zone 5 I have TB & SDB's but would like to try other types , do you think they would take our cold winters ?
any info would really be appreciated . ty

I hear they do they great in Southern MI and Illinois area. Hang tight, you'll get another reply. @lestv may know..

I grow a *few* LA's........Black Gamecock, and Dorothea K. Williamson, (and one NOID), and one SPX, Paltec. They seem to do fine ! I think if you get the ph right, and keep them watered , you will have no problems.

There are some Louisianas that grow better in the north than others, so many northern vendors only carry the ones that do well in northern zones. I suggest you buy them from such a northern vendor to increase the odds of them growing well. Places like Aitken's Salmon Creek carry many different LA's, and theirs are already acclimatized to cooler temps .

ty all for the info I have been debating if i should try these or not I hate to kill a plant.
I Also have Black Gamecock & It really had Huge Blooms this pass season
will add a couple this next season to see how they will do .
ty
susie

Black Gamecock is very hardy. If you are growing it well (sounds like you are!!) then go for trying more! If you live on the Lake Michigan side of the lake, you get slightly warmer winter temps too that are good for LA's.

on the west side Ya might say the Palm of Mich this year was my best growing season ever for all my irises & DL's

can anyone tell me if it is ok to throw out fertilizer in fall /winter or is spring the best time to do so ???

I'd wait until early spring, if it's a *chemical * fertilizer.......if you do it now, a lot will be lost by 'leaching', before spring. If it's an *organic* fertilizer (for example :bone meal) you probably wouldn't lose as much, as it needs to break down, in order to release the nutrients, but, I think I would still wait till early spring.

Weather permitting I fertilize my irises here in zone 7 on St. Valentine's Day, mid February. Other areas may still be too cold. I figure about six weeks before they are in full swing and that would be April fools day. I have a few that will bloom in late February and they get a little boost as soon as they show new growth.

ty bonnie
can anyone tell me the best type of Fertilier to use I have allot of clay /sand but i amend with a rich compost that a friend of mine makes from garden debree, Grass clippings ,we haul over to him.

I grew up in Grand Haven, so I too was the palm side.

low on nitrogen or your plant will go to leaves. We use 5-10-10.

irisarian said:low on nitrogen or your plant will go to leaves. We use 5-10-10.

Lucy is right and be careful to not over-do feeding. Consider all the other things you add to your soil that effect the pH. I always recommend having a soil test done. That gives you a starting point when it comes to growth and bloom for everything.

Soil test kits are pretty cheap and accurate. Don't be discouraged from them either. You'll have the greenest, bloomiest (is that a word), healthiest plants on the block.

Ps. Battle Creek aka Cereal City Native here, Lower left on right palm

oh my other Michigander How nice to meet ya Thank you for the info & I will be sure to invest in a test Kit they have them at our Local Ace store ty .

are there ever any Iris trades here ? or Irises for Postage ? really want to get into the
Louisana & Species so anyone dividing this next season I do hope you will contact Me @plant-a-holic Here are a couple others I Have but no names to them as to what they are & I cannot find My Black Gamecock Pictures yet .
well you all have a nice afternoon & Thank you for the info .

Soil test that you buy are generally accurate. If you want the real scoop go through your county Extension Office. They are free in this state and in some others. Otherwise they are cheap as they are subsidized by the big farmers. The lab will give you more info then you can read so take the info sheet back to the extension office and your agent will be happy to translate it with you. If you pH is off the nutrients in the fertilizers you put on your garden are 'locked up' and not available to the plants.

The yellow iris looks like Yellow Flag (Iris pseudacorus) which has naturalized in MI.
The second might be a Siberian.

Has anyone else experienced LA rhizomes creeping to the surface after a year or two? I throw a few inches of mulch on them now but lost a few before I noticed.

http://www.louisianairisgarden... looks like it's in z5 New York.

Evan - I think they produce their rhizomes on top of each other like the JI's do, so they will rise above the surface after awhile. That is a good indication that they need to be dug up and separated. And if they are happy in their spot, that means you will have lots of rhizomes to separate!

Can anyone tell me why my Reg TB Irise want to go underground ? I plant their Rhizomes above ground when I get them & Within 1-2 yrs they are underground . its as if a critter is pulling them down in the ground ???? Not all do this but i have had a few do this .

also witch one is it that Like to be in a pond ?? Japanese, Sibrian, Lousiana, ???? & How do you know for sure ??

Thanks Leslie.