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The grand dame of the garden is favoring us with her
showy entrance to the spring scene. She is stealing the show
as she towers above the daffodils, tulips and hyacinths.
Clothed in all the colors of the rainbow, the Bearded Iris is
stately and spectacular.
The names: Rite of Spring, Celebration, Thrillseeker,
Let's Dance, Magic Hope, Charisma, Lucky Draw, Strike It
SHOW STOPPER."Congratulations" is the star of the garden with an eye-catching
combination of blue hues accented with a yellow throat.
Rich, Moon Journey, Celestial Flame, Rapture In Blue,
Silver lizz,Orbiter, Feminine Fire, Paradise, Gift Of Dreams,
So Rare, Panama Fling, Raspberry Fudge, and Living Legacy
are almost as intriguing as the spectacular flower.
There are over 200 varieties of this royal peasant. The
Iris is a Cinderella story. She has come a long way from the
common "'flag" to truly royal stature in her magnificent
hybrids.
The tall Bearded Iris carries her dazzling flowers on
branching stems 28 to 48 inches tall. She is not demanding,
but won't tolerate wet feet. Provide her with well drained
soil, and the irresistible iris will reward you with splendid
flowers even in our alkaline environment. A well worked
bed with organic amendments and fertilizer will keep her
happy while the resulting bounty of blooms will keep you
smiling.
Company is a joy to this gracious lady. Plant the variety
of your choice in a triad with the toes of two of the rhizomes
..,. ,,,,- pointing inward and the third
.... °' placed in between the two.
On an incline, place the toe
of the rhizome headed to-
ward the top of the mound.
She is compatible with other
flowers. Daylilies, pinks,
salvias and coneflowers are
some of Iris' favorite friends.
Iris are often referred to
as bulbs. However, Bearded
Iris are actually rhizomes.
The rhizome is an under-
ground stem that looks like a
foot extending horizontally
at the bottom of a fan of
leaves. Leave the rhizome
horizontal when planting,
place it on a mound for good
drainage and just cover the
top with soil. Firm the soil
around the rhizome with
your hands and add bone
meal and/or super phosphate
to encourage good root
growth.
The lady, like most
beauties, eats lightly. In the
spring, after growth starts,
sprinkle a handful of 5-10-
10 fertilizer around each
clump. Avoid high nitrogen
fertilizers as this can lead to
rot. A light winter mulch will
provide plenty of protection.
Iris are hardy even though
the flowers appear delicate.
Avoid grass clippings and
photo by Patti Babcock any heavy mulch that will
trap moisture around the
plant and encourage rot.
Given a hospitable home, Iris will multiply. Three years
of good living will usually provide enough growth to divide
and increase your plantings or give you some to share with
friends. Dig the entire Iris clump out of the ground, cut off
the outer rhizomes and discard the old center portion. Cut,
don't pull, old bloom stalks and poor leaves. Cut out any
signs of rot and dust with
fungicide, sulphur will work.
Let the rhizome dry in the
sun for a few hours to seal up
Think of it as a graduate course in horse sense
PAHRUMP-Shadow Mountain Feed
will host the third Annual Purina Equine
Education Series on Sunday, April 20 at 5
p.m. at the Community Center. Attend the
seminar and find out how you can make your
horse even better in just four to six weeks by
enrolling in the "test drive a better horse"
program.
Whether you're a new horse owner or an
old hand in the saddle, you can never know
too much about horse care,
health, nutrition and man-
agement. After all, your
horse depends on you to keep
up with the latest informa-
tion.
The Purina Equine Edu-
cation Series is the largest
educational effort ever held
in the horse industry with
over 900 FREE seminars
held nationwide during
March and April. Attend Pahrump's first
seminar and learn from experts: a veterinar-
ian, nutrition specialists and other equine
professionals about topics tailored for our
area.
Register to win "great sweepstakes
prizes" including a 1997 Dodge Dakota truck
and a Sooner Two horse trailer.
For more information, contact Terry
Bird at Shadow Mountain Feed, 727-5527.
up the cutting wounds. Now you're ready to replant.
Liquid sustenance is necessary to allow the lady to grow
new roots. After planting and during the blooming season,
keep the soil moist but not wet. About six weeks after bloom
has ceased decrease water to periodic slow, deep waterings
throughout the growing season.
Be patient. The reward is worth the wait. The first
season may be lackluster, but from the second to the fourth
year you will delight in the magnificence of the regal flower.
Last year, I purchased the new hybrid, Batik, from
JordardChelsa Nursery. It didn't do much. This year Batik
is better than sensational, she is spectacular. Congratula-
tions, a hybrid from Cooley's Gardens, was lackluster last
year. Currently, her fabulous flowers are breathtaking.
In our desert, we need to wait until the temperature
drops below 100 degrees to plant/transplant Iris. Mid-
September to October is usually best. If you use care, you
can plant them anytime except during the intense heat of
summer. Iris loves the sun, but will welcome some after-
noon shade during the hottest months.
Cooley's Gardens, P. O. Box 126, Silverton, Oregon
97381-0126, phone 1-800-225-5391 offers the largest se-
lection of elegant Iris that I have seen.
For an awe-inspiring experience, look for the Iris in
bloom now and in the next few months. For flowers to fill
your dreams, plant some of the new hybrids this fall.
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