German Bearded Iris

For those who may not be aware, I'm a big fan of Irises.  I've even dabbled in hybridizing a little, though nothing worth introducing.  (My most recent cross is Iris lutescens campelli x Iris 'Boo', blooms likely in 2015) German bearded Iris are super easy to grow and very drought tolerant, but don't seem too popular in gardens lately.  They are susceptible to iris borer, but it's a fairly easy pest to prevent.  The other big maintenance chore is division, which they need every 3-5 years to stay full and blooming well.

Since it's so bitter cold out lately, it's hard to think of spring.  Here's a pictorial journey of an iris garden from a few years ago.  Before you ask, I do NOT know any of the names as I didn't write them down.  A shame, I would love to have a few of these.  Enjoy!

Iris lutescens campellii

In general, I like Iris.  For some reason, I find this diminutive species irresistible.  I think because it has the beauty of the tall bearded and standard dwarf bearded iris, without being in your face.  It's a quiet beauty that is always a pleasing sight in the spring.

Iris lutescens campellii is a neat dwarf iris found in dry areas ranging from Italy to southern Spain.  It has small lavender flowers with a darker purple signal and beards that are white with some yellow.  Foliage is typical blue-green iris foliage that is slightly curved.  Because of its small  size (4-6" in my garden), it makes an excellent addition to the rock garden or trough garden. 

It can also be used in a mixed perennial border as long as care is taken to make sure it isn't over crowded by other plants.  Make sure it has well drained soil, as like most bearded iris it doesn't like excess water.  While drought tolerant, it doesn't want to be too dry either, and will perform best with some irrigation and fertilizer in the summer months. 

Spring Color

I've finally had a chance to get out and take some pictures of the spring color in my gardens over the last week or so.  Everything is definitely behind this year, due to our very cold temps.  We've had a few warm days now and the plants are responding to warmth very quickly, doubling in size in a a matter of days.

Cornus sericea unnamed gold mutation

 First up is a neat shrub I found a number of years ago.  It's a red twig dogwood that provides a bright spot of gold in the spring then changes green through the season.  All other traits seem normal, growth has been fast I will guess it will hit 8' tall and wide.  There are other gold-leaf selections out there that are similar, I don't know that I'll name it or introduce it for sale.  I am growing some seed from it in hopes for a variety that stays gold all season.


Arabis sturrii

  Arabis sturrii is a great spring bloomer that forms  low cushions.  White flowers in May followed by green glossy foliage the rest of the season.  It's a good nectar plant for early season butterflies and moths.


Corydalis 'Blackberry Wine'

  Corydalis are in bloom now.  C. cheilanthifolia is now finished and 'Blackberry Wine' is getting started.  These are great plants for spring color and seasonal texture.  They like partial shade and good drainage.  'Blackberry Wine' will bloom sporadically through the season.








Epimedium 'Fire Dragon'


 Epimediums are in full bloom for me now.  They've been gaining in popularity in the past few years.  One of my favorites is 'Fire Dragon' which has fairly large (for an Epimedium) flowers that last much longer than others in my garden.  'Amber Queen' is fairly similar, I'm not sure how long the blooms will last.  'Lilafee' is a nice purple flowering variety is petite.  'Niveum' is a great white variety.  These are all easy to grow in shade to partial shade and are tolerant of dry soil. 
 


 

Epimedium 'Niveum'

Epimedium 'Lilafee'



 

Hepatica acutiloba is an underused woodland plant that does great in a shade garden.  Flowers range in color and can be white, pink, or blue.  They put on a good show of small flowers in spring, then the glossy foliage looks great all season. 

 The various Heuchera, xHeucherella, and Tiarella are looking great now, 'Southern Comfort' and 'Fire Chief' are looking great.  All of the new ones I planted have returned beautifully.  Tiarella 'Cascade Creeper' is coming up well, this is one of my new favorites.  There are some great new varieties this year that I can't wait to get planted: Heuchera: 'Apple Crisp', 'Pear Crisp', & 'Electric Lime'.  xHeucherella 'Redstone Falls', 'Yellowstone Falls', & 'Solar Eclipse'. 

 Iris lutescens var. campelli is a diminutive species of bearded iris with light purple standards and slightly darker falls.  I've struggled with this one for awhile, but I've finally found a spot where it seems happy.  I have other dwarf bearded hybrids in bloom as well, and they are always among my favorite spring bloomers.  If you don't have any dwarf iris, pick some up.

 Mertensia virginica alba.  I picked up a white form of Virginia bluebells last year, and it's in bloom now.  I probably should move it to a spot more suitable to its spreading nature.

Hostas are an obsession of mine (I have over 300 varieties) and the gold varieties are always my favorite as they come up.  'Dawn's Early Light' and 'Nancy' are especially bright.  Both look great all season as well.  'Dawn's Early Light' changes to bright green/chartreuse but has pebbled round leaves and a great mound habit.  'Nancy' stays a fairly bright chartreuse and has a good form.



'Dawn's Early Light'



'Nancy'