Wow, Marilyn, you really have thought things through. I haven't scheduled myself the way you have, but I definitely am resolved not to let things go until August when it gets so hot the way I did last year. Starting to replant in June would be a very good idea.
When purchasing new irises this last year, I avoided buying late blooming varieties, because we usually have a heat wave in May (this last year it was actually the third week of April), which fries the late bloomers. Instead, I have been buying SDBs, IBs, and very very early bloomers to lengthen the season from the other end. I will continue this policy in 2020 as well as (maybe) culling some of the late bloomers I already have.
Like the rest of you, I want to cut back on the number of irises that I have as my energy levels are not what they were. I have an awful lot of similar irises (like 17 yellows
), so the plan is to keep a couple of similar irises that bloom at different times in the season and rehome the rest.
I really like irises to grow in big clumps, so, since my space is limited, I need to have fewer varieties to have room for the clumps. Also, I am now trying to avoid varieties taller than 38 inches, since the tall ones take up more space. I have a few favorites (like Material Girl at 48 inches!) which I'll keep even though they are taller than 40 inches, but from now on a tall iris is likely to be culled in my garden.
I like the idea of having big clumps that I can thin rather than digging them up every three years. I'm not sure this technique will work, but I am going to try it.
Now, it must be said that these are MY plans. DH has his own opinions regarding the iris gardens. He likes variety, so for him, the more cultivars the
better, the longer the bloom season, the better, too. Also, he hates culling them. He would never part with any of them if he could. These are matters to be negotiated.
