I have to confess that I've been having a love affair for the last couple of years or so with Iris. This year seems, at least in my garden, to have been a good one for Irises. I bought 3 at the Open Day to add to the collection, but somehow couldn't resist some of those of Kelways and so bought 4 ["Actress"[blue]. "Kent Pride" [orange/brown], "Night Edition"[blue/white], and "Spreckles"[orange/brown/yellow] on Wednesday. When I got back from Manchester I found they'd been delivered and left safely in the Energy Meter Cupboard. The packaging was absolutely brilliant, really strong, custom made for holding 4 pots, and then filled with plastic foam pellets. When I say "filled" there were enough to fill two black bin bags! The Irises were of top quality, no blemishes on the leaves and the rhizomes were really big and strong. So, for me, top marks to Kelways for service, packaging and quality of plants. I've also bought, [I know, I know]. another 4 irises from Sissinghurst ["Classic Look"[blue fringe and white], "Codicil"[pale blue], "Rip City"[Yellow/Orange, "Fiesta Time"[red/purple]...........they haven't arrived as yet, but it will be interesting to see how they compare to Kelways
Hi @ARMANDII you must have plenty of room to allow for all those! I used to have the dwarf Kelways ones, and they were pretty good, but somehow lost them. The Kelway peonies have survived... I have iris 'Dancer's Veil' which I would recommend, but you really have to put up with a lot of non-flowering time with standard iris.
Hi Carolinel, It looks like a good one, Carolinel, and quite similar to "Classic Look" which I've ordered from Sissinghurst. That's true, but I've now put all my pots in large pots where they can catch the Sun and have their rhizomes can get baked. Errrrrr, weeeeeelll, it's a medium sized garden with a Wildlife pond at the bottom South West Corner, but it's a really over planted chaotic Cottage style garden so the borders are full and so Irises always got overwhelmed with shade from surrounding plants. I bought 3 unnamed Irises at the Open Day, and with another 4 from Kelways and 4 on the way from Sissinghurst, so that it makes 11 to find a home for. I've already got 7 or 8 in pots around the Observatory and they seem to like it there. I think I might stick to the idea of large pots and go on a spree to get some with a bit of character.
It's the thin end of the wedge, Armandii I've been collecting them for years but you always find room for a few more! Codicil is one of my all time favourites! You might like to have a browse on the Cayeux website?...Cayeux Iris - specialist in irises for your garden
All plants seem to have a thin edge of the wedge with me, noisette Thanks for the tip about the Cayeux website,.......but I thought you were a friend and you're not helping the situation you know. I'm not going to look there, I'm not going to look there, I'm not..................Oh, Bu$$%&!!
Heehee...have a look anyway and if you see something irresistible let me know....I could send you some divisions I'm keeping an eye on the development of twice-flowering varieties. It's a real bonus if you get a second flush of flowers later on. At the moment, it seems to be mainly white, cream and yellows that have the gene.
I have just made a huge mistake and looked too I don't think I like @noisette47 , it's all her fault!
Sorry! If it helps, I really am willing to send you divisions of any I've got that you like! Just PM me OH and I did a quick tour a few years ago down to Gien to see the iris in bloom, in a big, borrowed camper van. Wow! It's a good job he was there to restrain me
I might take you up on your really kind and generous offer, noisette, so long as you let me pay for postage etc. Can I ask what Irises you have??
i don't want to horn in here @ARMANDII however!!!! if by any chance Noisette you have loads of a particular one/ones and can spare a few after Armandii has had first pick as it were, I'd love some. I really have become a huge fan of Iris and already have about 15 /20 different ones but ALWAYS room for more. Surprisingly they do quite well up here in Scotland as long as I add grit to the soil. Iris with variegated foliage struggle a bit but all the rest seem fine. I even chose to visit an Iris show while on holiday in Florence rather than visit a museum and was gad I did. Some of the Iris were amazing but unfortunately I couldn't buy any as I'd never have got them in my hand luggage. Like Armandii I am more than happy to pay postage and if you want payment that's fine too. I was wondering if there were swaps I could give you? Photo is of my visit to the iris show in Florence.
Absolutely no way @ARMANDII , that is a very kind gesture but you must have 1st dibs! Here's hoping noisette has plenty she is willing to send to us so we can both have big s
