Iris reticulata and forms 2008

[dominique]

First reticulata Gordon

[Otto Fauser]

Udo, is Iris vartanii always so pale?

Maggi & Dirk,
  some 20 years ago I also grew I. vartanii ,collected in Israel & sent to me by Brian Mathew which was a darker blue, with a slight greyish tone. I grew it for a number of years ,but then it went to heaven, as did the albino form. Is the white one still grown & available commercially? It never seemed robust here.
       Ciao Otto.

[tonyg]

Various reticulata types are now in flower - as with much else, responding to warmth.  At least the display is not spoiled by the dull warm weather like the crocuses are.

Here 2 forms if Iris histrio.

[Otto Fauser]

  just remembered another reference and photo of Iris vartanii by Erich Pasche [of Crocus fame ]in The Bulletin of the Alpine Garden Soc. vol.66 No.3 -Sep. 1998-on page 278-
 a rather beautyful pale blue.
       Otto.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

I. hist 2 is a real stunner Tony ! 

[David Nicholson]

Lovely Iris histrio Tony.

Im getting a bit worried about some of mine. I have histrio var. aintabensis, reticulata bakeriana and winowgradowii in the greenhouse all of which aren't showing above the grit yet. From potting until just before Christmas I had them outside and am wondering if they got too wet and have rotted off. Too early to tip them out and have a look I suppose??

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Hi David - I would hold my breath for another week or two if I were you, perhaps light a candle.... but it surely doesn't look promising.
I have a potful of I. K. Hodgekin that underwent the same treatment (outside until mid December and then inside) in full flower right now, I hope to post a pic tonight.

[David Nicholson]

Hi David - I would hold my breath for another week or two if I were you, perhaps light a candle.... but it surely doesn't look promising.
I have a potful of I. K. Hodgekin that underwent the same treatment (outside until mid December and then inside) in full flower right now, I hope to post a pic tonight.

Hi Luc, candles will be lit, one for each year of my age, so, if you see a soft glow in the North Western sky tonight you will know what it is!! My Katharine Hodgkin in the greenhouse (that were also outside until Christmas time) are doing quite well but are perhaps a couple of weeks away from a picture stage but the ones in the garden may be ready next week (now I've said that what's the betting that the slugs have a feast!).

[David Nicholson]

Just a few pictures from the garden today taken in a brief respite from the thin but heavy drizzle we have had all day so far.

The first two are Iris danfordiae, still a little immature, but pretty none the less. I bought a batch of 10 bulbs and have 5 flowering, par for the course for this awkward variety I suppose? The other one is Iris histrioides Angel Tears which I think is very nice.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Looking good David - this time it's mine that are way behind.
My I. ret. Angels tears aren't showing anything above ground level so far... should I be the one to worry now ?? 

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Here's my pot of I. histrioides 'Katharine Hodgkin' - in the garden, no sign of them yet.

[Tony Willis]

my pot of iris histrio

[David Nicholson]

Now I am worried about mine not showing yet.

[Maggi Young]

Now I am worried about mine not showing yet.

Don't panic, David, sit down and have some wensleydale and cake... you know it makes sense.

[Armin]

Various reticulata types are now in flower - as with much else, responding to warmth.  At least the display is not spoiled by the dull warm weather like the crocuses are.

Here 2 forms if Iris histrio.

Wow! What beautiful markings an the 2nd. picture, Tony!