Iris Reticulata Harmony
Iris Reticulata Harmony
Bulbous Iris Reticulata. Although in most documentation regarded to as Spring flowering, I have found that even here in Aberdeen Reticulata Harmony will start flowering freely from February in some years.
Flowers are royal blue with a yellow central mark on each fall, height is 10-15cm (4-6in.
Grow in well drained soil which is on the alkaline side, plant about 2in deep, also best positioned in full sun. Adding grit to the soil is worthwhile giving good drainage to a plant that hates to get water logged.
Planting in drifts along with Crocus can be very effective. Divide bulbs in late Summer after several years and also add a low nitrogen feed every Spring, if your soil happens to be on the acidic side sprinkle with a little lime.
The Iris Reticulata above was in one of our back garden borders three years ago. In spite of planting with great care I found that in the second year only three or four of the flowers came through. I am really not certain why this should be, however I now just treat it as a Spring flowering annual which often we plant in containers.
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Pond Iris Versicolour
The Pond Iris Versicolour at the moment is the only Perennial Iris which we have in the garden. I can only think that this came about as a result of our early gardening habits which made us look for plants which would flower for a long period.
Versicolour above is planted in our pond as a marginal plant and performs very well each year. The plant is clump forming and has mid green narrow strap like leaves. Flowers are violet blue with white markings and a touch of yellow. Flowering in July, it is quite a delightful plant and of course as I have hinted at flowering time is short.
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Now is the time to get those Roses pruned
Rose pruning as recommended by Cockers Roses of Aberdeen
All Hybrid Tea and Floribunda varieties should be pruned the first spring after planting, cutting them back to 3 or 4 eyes from the base, the top eyes should be pointing outwards. Pruning should be done in late February while roses planted after February should be pruned prior to planting. Climbing roses should not be pruned but simply cut back the tips about 5-7cm (2-3 in). to a bud.
Pruning in subsequent years
HYBRID TEAS In the second and subsequent years after planting, cut away all weak and unripe growths, shorten the remaining shoots to about half the length of the previous year’s growth. Keep the centre of the bush open and leave the top bud after pruning facing outwards. We strongly recommend February pruning.
FLORIBUNDAS The first pruning after planting should consist of cutting away all weak shoots and cutting healthy growth down to about 15cm (6 in) from the ground, always pruning to an outward eye. The second year prune the new 1-year old wood lightly. The 1-year wood is the main shoot from the base of the bush. Remove the flower heads and if a secondary shoot or shoots have developed just below the flower, these are shortened to 3 or 4 eyes. The older wood, which was pruned the previous year, should have made good growth and this should be shortened to about half its length. Pruning the third or succeeding years consists of cutting 1-year old wood lightly and 2-year old wood fairly hard. By pruning in this way the flowering season is prolonged and the trees maintain their natural height. This pruning should be done in February.
CLIMBING ROSES Pruning consists primarily of cutting out the dead wood and pruning to prevent over-crowding, which can be done after the plants have flowered in the summer.
When to plant bare root Roses Roses may be planted at any time when the weather is sufficiently fine, between the end of October and late April, provided that the soil is friable and free from frost or snow.
Martin, right enough when I was working I wasn’t so fussed about how the garden looked in Winter. I am trying to make more of an effort now.
Alistair, I love all irises, they are just about my favourite flower. I’m ashamed to say, however, that I only have summer-flowering varieties, as I am not a winter gardener! Partly because I don’t like the cold, partly because I am at work during the daylight hours and only get to see the garden at the weekend. Cheers for now.
Yes Rosie even a short fine spell can bring on the plants. Great to hear someone with success growing Reticulata. That is a lot of Potentillas, must give a really good show. You will have to do something on Perth having the tallest Beech hedge sometime.
Hello Alistair
Isn’t it lovely to see more and more colour appearing in the garden as each week goes by. I think our wonderful weather this week has really helped the plants along after our long winter.
Some of my iris reticulata flowers started flowering on Monday and I must go out and take a few quick photos of them before it gets too dark. Mine stay in the same patch in the garden from year to year and every year they always come back into flower so I must have the ideal conditions for them. Last year after they flowered I lifted them and replanted so that they would be in a clump so I may not have as many as previous years….. I just can’t tell.
I better add pruning roses to my list – I have a hedge of 70 potentillas to cut down this weekend.
Yes they are beautiful Jennifer, seem to be very short lived though.
Your irises are so bright and beautiful. I had a few of these irises scattered in my rock garden and after seeing your photos I have realized that I should have clumped them together for a more spectacular effect.
Thanks Carolyn, I am keen to try some more Irises, I will go for the bulb varieties as I cant be bothered with those tuberous ones which like to be slightly exposed.
The colours are indeed vivid, I hope they come through next year. I will look forward to the results.
I saw lots of Iris reticulata and various other dwarf Iris’ at the London show and I must say I’m smitten with them, just love the vivid colours! I’ve bought some from there as well as bulbs from mail order. It won’t be till next year we’ll know if they’ll come back in full force or not but big clumps of these are stunning! 🙂
Alistair, thank you! My bulbs came from a well known DIY shed as a reward for braving their appalling checkout queues for a packet of screws and some timber. No specific name, just ‘Iris reticulata’. At least now I know it is ‘Harmony’! I have to plant them in pots because my soil is acidic, and I don’t go for soil amendment – except on the allotment.
Alistair, I too get frustrated with the description of late winter-blooming plants as spring-blooming–not sure why that is. I can’t grow Iris reticulata, but I love it. Iris versicolor, commonly called blueflag, is native to the whole northeastern quadrant of North America. I love it but it does have a very short bloom time. It can grow in average soil in addition to standing water. Carolyn
Dear Edith, I also have tried reticulata time and time again outdoors as information which I constantly receive suggests that this should be successful. I now also treat them as an annual.
Dear Alistair, I was most interested to see the photograph of your Iris reticulata ‘ Harmony’ growing in a border. I have now stopped growing these glorious early spring Iris outdoors in the open border as I have much more success with them in terracotta pans in the Alpine House. On reading further, I see that you have done the same. I suspect that they are relatively short lived outdoors unless they have perfect growing conditions, but they do make such wonderful conainer plants don’t they?
Yes Donna, it seems Reticulata can be temperamental.
Masha, I once saw a trial where Roses were pruned according to instructions and others were hacked back with shears, both sets bloomed well in Summer. However they did not recommend this as it may in the long term have different results.
Beautiful irises, mine are not blooming yet….
Interesting pruning guide. Here people are told to leave young roses alone except for dead, damaged and diseased wood to let them settle in. The only young roses which are cut severely (and severely is to 6-7 bud eyes) are those in which one would hope to induce branching by making such a cut. Really interesting how drastically different the approaches to pruning are. I am beginning to think that roses are pretty resilient and can tolerate almost anyone’s idea of correct pruning:)
these are my favorite spring blooms…my best performewrs are in dry, sunnier areas…we shall see how they have weathered this winter…lovely Versicolour by the pond
Eye popping blue. Gorgeous.
A very nice post Alistair and lovely photos! Larry