WOW Polly.

Thanks!

I don't know anything about siberians - I did check out website Polly. But I also don't know anything about the other iris, except for TB's. I think we need a thread with definitions.... ~Jan

Jan, we're doing a 'encyclopedia' on the database. Hopefully when done it will answer some of your questions.

Irises (Iris)

Can I make a suggestion for the encyclopedia? Looked at what you've got so far, and it is great information. I would love to see a table or chart that explained when the different types tend to bloom, and what kind of soil and sun that type takes. Also, there were some gorgeous iris down the side of the page, but no identification on which type they were. Most looked like bearded to me, even the ones that were beside the descriptions of Siberians and Spuria. It would be really helpful to have a few representative pictures of each type that go along with the description.

Thanks Angie, I'll see what we can do. The pictures on the side are random, though, and Dave has it set up for them to come up on a rotating basis, so we have no control over that. I had already planned to put in a representative picture of each type though. It's a work in progress.

Any suggestions are welcome.

Today I fell into a deal. The estate of a local iris hybridizer was sold and I got an email saying to come dig iris today because the new owners didn't want them. There were several hundred and many of them had labels. I haven't looked them up yet but I'm guessing they're pretty old. I dug for a few hours, then when I got home I tilled and weeded a big sunny area on the ridge above the pond. Possibly I'll get them all planted tomorrow.

Wow Cindi, what a deal is right. Congrats on that one and all the hard work you're doing to save those irises!!!!!!!

Angie, et al, please go look at the pictures I have put in so far in the encyclopedia for siberian and Japanese. We still need a lot of pictures to show leaves, rhizomes etc. Dee will be putting some in for bearded and spuria. But if anyone has pictures of Louisianas or bulbous irises we can use it would be much appreciated. Again, any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Irises (Iris)

Lovely, Cindi I hope all your work is rewarded by bloom. Any that you can ID will be great. Did any more iris club members help? If the hybridiaer was active, some of the plants will be seedlinngs so you will have to map the area since you have labels. I hope you can have friends help you out--a great amount of work.

Thanks Lucy. Kind of funny but sad...I'm the youngest and probably healthiest in the club so people call me for help digging and planting. It was super easy soil to dig and my soil is also amended so no problems there. The labels were bent every which way so what I'll try to do is match the stack of labels to blooms next year. Or the following year...the yard where I got them had been neglected for 8 years or so, and trees had grown in the iris area, so most of the rhizomes were tiny from lack of sun. My issue today is finding rocks to hold the iris in the ground over the winter. Our terrific soil has no rocks whatsoever. We haul in big rocks to stabilize the banks of the pond and stream, so maybe I can break a few up.

Sorry about the lack of rocks. can you find bricks to use? Just as useful although from New england's rocks I would hate to admit it. You may be the youngest but others could help you keep track. I am in my 70s & would have been helpful in doing that. I wonder if anyone in the club would have pictures of the garden when it was in bloom. there must have been club garden tours at one time. Ask members & perhaps they have them.

Very nice, Polly! Great for those of us who have no experience with anything outside of bearded iris. I do like the rotating grouping on the side bar, but those specific to a type are more helpful!

And if you have names, you can post pictures and maybe we can help tell you yes or no on some. I normally don't like to try to identify, but when you have names already, that makes it so much easier.

Thank you Angie, I hope to get pictures of more identifying features in when we can. I never thought to take pictures of many leaves, or rhizomes. Always went for the pretty face, LOL. I appreciate the input!

I think I am going to love that database!

Very cool about the iris, and the fact that you were able to save so many ~j

Thanks Jan!

We're getting some great contributions. Evan just did a taxonomy chart for it. So any ideas will be greatly appreciated.

And still looking for LA iris pics, and bulbous ones.