Fall 2011 Early Blooming Iris'

Absolute Joy (SDB)

Cat's Eye (SDB)

Circus Dragon (SDB)

Fission Chips (MDB)

We at DeVroomen, have updated our Dwarf Bearded Iris program for Fall 2011 and if you are not familiar with the Dwarf Bearded Iris let me fill you in on why these should be in your garden or part of your grower program.

First, there are 2 classifications, Miniature Dwarf and Standard Dwarf. The difference is simple, miniatures are up to 8" tall and standards or 8" to 16". Miniatures are the earliest to bloom with the standards blooming slightly later. My standards in the garden are blooming right now, and I'm loving it. I first noticed the dwarf iris when I was at the trial garden at Wisley Garden.

Raindance Returns (SDB, Rebloomer)

The new additions are Absolute Joy (SDB), Cat's Eye (SDB), Circus Dragon (SDB),  Fission Chips (MDB) and Raindance Returns (SDB, Rebloomer).

Iris  Candy Apple (SDB) we had to keep in the program from last year, it fills out our color pallette so nicely.

Candy Apple (SDB)

Let me know if you have a favorite, either one of our's or one of your own.

Variety is the "Spice of Life"

So we were having a party for my daughter Molly's birthday, and on this wonderful 93 degree 80% humidity May 29th my niece asked me if I could get her some 'Stella D'Oro' daylilies. I said yes of course, but "why do you want those" I asked, "those are the kind you see in every shopping center parking lot or every industrial complex, and other than the fact that they bloom for a long time the flower isn't that spectacular". Upon hearing that they bloom a long time she said, "that's the one for me". Now I'm sure I'm paraphrasing to some extent but all this made me think, what's more important in a yard or garden consistency or variety? I learned a long time ago as a salesman that my personal likes and dislikes do not mean that everyone should feel the same, but I'm definitely a "variety" kind of guy. Especially when it comes to daylilies. There are so many amazing colors, types, sizes and shapes it's a variety kind of guy's favorite flower. I could go on for quite some time on this so I think I will make this a continuing discussion. I did realize that I really don't have enough daylily photos, but here are a few good ones I took.

This last photo is one I took a few years ago at Hornbaker Gardens in Princeton, Illinois. Every year they have both an iris and a daylily season in which you can see the plants blooming in the field and purchase them. You may have to wait a little bit before picking them up since that may not be the most beneficial time to dig them, but what fun to see them all blooming. Hornbaker Gardens will be having an open House this next weekend, June 10, 11 and 12. It's about a 2 hour drive from Chicago, but well worth making a day of it. It's just past the Ottawa area which is also a pretty cool spot to visit. Click on the links for web information.