... growing and hybridizing all kinds of plants in zone 6b Maryland since the 1980's.

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Iris foliage health

I've been calling this self-sown seedling "Pink Volunteer" and hadn't planned on registering it but I may have to reconsider. In addition to the Spring bloom it has also bloomed each Fall for 3 or 4 years now. This year it sent up a summer stalk and I've been noticing how crazy-healthy the foliage has remained when other irises are spotting and browning at the tips. I know that a lot of people seem to only care about the flowers but I think the foliage is reason enough to include an iris in the landscape (when it's healthy foliage that is).

 

2 comments:

  1. Healthy foliage would be a HUGE plus to me. I hesitate to plant most beardeds in the garden because the leaves do look so wretched most of the season.

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  2. Amen brother!
    And I'll bet we're not the only two people who feel that way. I've decided that foliage health is going to have to be one if my primary goals. Once I've weeded out the sicklier seedlings I can see which have the best blooms.

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