Add a variety of spectacular irises to your landscape!

They’re easy to grow, perennial and stunning - but like anything else, it helps to have information before you dive in. A good source of iris info is the American Iris Society’s home page, www.irises.org. Here, you’ll find growing instructions, links to various resources, and lots of information on different iris varieties, societies and activities. Plus, the pictures are magnificent! Good garden sanitation and vigilance throughout the growing season will keep bearded iris borer damage to a minimum. Get rid of eggs by removing and destroying old iris foliage and other garden debris in the area. Examine the foliage early for evidence of feeding larvae. If found, squeeze the larvae between thumb and finger while inside the leaf, or simply cut off the portion of leaf that contains the larvae. Cut old flower stems to the ground when finished blooming. In July, examine the rhizomes for borers. Remove and destroy all infested rhizomes and larvae. Cut out the damaged areas and dip the healthy portion in a solution of one part household bleach and 10 parts water. Replant the rhizome when dry. Besides everyone’s old favorite, the tall bearded iris, try some other kinds of iris. The 2004 Spring Dutch Gardens catalog has some stunning Japanese Iris on pages 64-65. Momogasumi in a gorgeous pink that measures five inches across on 34-inch stems should suit your fancy. Another, Stippled Ripples, white with violet-red stripes, bordered with solid violet-red has lovely ruffles. Check them out!

Shown: DUSKY CHALLENGER (Schreiner 1986) Winner of the AIS Symposium in 2000, 2001, 2002 and once again in 2003. (digital photo by Chris Hollinshead)

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