Bearded Iris 2007 to 2009

[David Nicholson]

You really do have a good collection Lesley.

[Lesley Cox]

Well if that's the case Angie, here are a few more. I've been putting them on the southern hemisphere page too but I think they're getting bored with them. There are actually dozens more to come over the next couple of weeks.

Curio


What Again? This looks like an Arilbred var.


and Not Again. I like the thick fuzzy beard on this one and the veined falls.


Hustle


Windrose. The first in this colouring.

[Lesley Cox]

I used to have hundreds David, in all sizes but gradually lost most through moving, or their getting overgrown or whatever so last summer I bought a lot of new ones, some replacing those I'd had and others quite new to me. It's fun watching a few more open each day.

[Paul T]

Lesley,

I loved Windrose when I grew it.  Such an unusual smokey colouration.  I rather like the beards on Not Again as well... so big and bushy.  very nice.

[angie]

Lesley

You could never get fed up seeing these dwarf bearded Irises .
I bought a couple from Wisley when I was down there this year, thought when I got back home should have bought more, wish I had now, but looking back on this forum I see that they can be addictive ( noticed Paul T had passed the stage of few plants only ) only jealous,  better watch out that l might get addicted to them after seeing the amazing colour's.
Ask the experts please, is there a need to cut back the leaves I noticed people do this to the taller ones.
Angie

[Lesley Cox]

Most growers will cut back the leaves of talls, to about 10cms after the plants have flowered. Especially this is so if the plants are being lifted for division or sale. Usually thay are cut twice, to make a pointed tip. As well as being tidier for the end of season, it leaves the rhizomes exposed to the sun so that they can ripen and build up for next season. All trimmings should be burnt if possible as inevitably they have spores of the spotty fungus to which beared irises are very prone.

I trim back the little ones as well, for tidiness' sake. Gradually through the winter and as the next flowering approaches, many leaves will die anyway and these should be removed once they can be pulled away easily, and again, burnt.

[angie]

Thanks again Lesley for your help and advice. I did notice that the leaves die back and from now on I shall dispose of the leaves.
Us newbies learn so much from this forum and its so generous of people to share there knowledge.

Angie

[Paul T]

Angie,

As Lesley says, usually only cut back if needed for sale purposes, or if you're dividing up your clump and need to reduce the wind resistance of the replanted rhizomes (shorter leaves have less wind resistence, which reduces damage to new roots from the rhizome rocking backwards and forwards in the wind).  Bear in mind that the leaves are used for feeding, so if you're cutting the leaves off which are green you're cutting off available food supplies.  I rarely ever cut mine, just carefully pulling off old brown or dying ones as needed.

[Lesley Cox]

I always cut mine, regardless of lifting etc. And they always flower well Paul. They love a bit of lime forked in around them in autumn.

[Lesley Cox]

Today's effort.

Blinky


Libation. Very similar, just towards violet instead of red.


Irwell Angel


Hot


Wee Bee. This is identical to what came from another nursery as Busy Bee. As more and more come out, the occasional mistake is noticed and even if correct, some are very close to others from different breeders.

[Lesley Cox]

And 5 more

Little Timothy


Thomas David


Jolly Joey. This pale green-shaded form is very pretty.


Taihoa. So is this one with light veining.


Sapphire Gem. My favourite so far. The colour is limpid and utterly exquisite.

[Paul T]

Nice, Lesley.  Best to me are Hot and Sapphire Gem.  But I wouldn't sneeze at any of them. 

[Arykana]

Leslie, you have a wonderfull collection!! I just like to wake up and come here at the morning. How big your garden? of course acre wont mean any for me

[Luc Gilgemyn]

What an amazing variety in your DBI's Lesley !!
Curio and Hot are my favourites !

[angie]

Thanks Lesley & Paul T for your advice,

We have had terrible weather here, non stop rain and wind for days, we are high up so haven't been affected with flooding but what a joy it has been sitting here reading all the old forums, just wish I had a good brain to store all this information . I do take all the advice and put it onto my computer then I can look back at all the good advice that I have gathered, this is great I have been gathering all the names of the plants which I love, but my list is getting scary. I think I will put my husband golf clubs on EBay to make some money for more plants, don't tell him
Keep all the colourful pictures coming the weekend is rain again for us .
Thanks Angie