Breathtaking photos Arlene, what a garden!

Thanks, Tom. It was photography that led me to gardening.

Hi Arlene, first things first, your garden is beautiful!
I live in Northern California, in zone 9, but it does get cool/cold here. Compared to other areas of the U.S. I feel stupid saying "cold". We get snow once in a while but not every year. In the winter frozen car windows, and frozen pipes at times. Last year was one of those years, started out "cold" then ended up being one of the most mild winters I can remember. The snow from this storm took about ten days to disappear before every trace was gone. Normally with snow like this it would be gone in one or two days.
December 2013



When I planted my first JI it was in morning sun and afternoon shade. The second one was planted and then the trees grew a bit to much so now its in full shade. When can JI's be transplanted?


Here is a picture (with blackberry vine and weeds) of the un-named PCI I have.
Barbara

Lurking and enjoying the pics.

Barbara, that's a beauty, whatever its name.

Your snow photos are so beautiful, Phillip. The PCI is lovely as well.

Growing trees can present problems for any plants that don't want more shade so you can move the JI as it comes out of dormancy, or next fall so it will have time to establish roots before winter. When transplanting you can add wet peat and manure. Years ago I used Miracle Gro for acid lovers but the "easy way out" is not always the right answer and I prefer adding our own compost to the planting hole and I no longer use any Miracle Gro products due to the salt build-up. Osmocote is a good choice as well as compost. The official word is not to use the old planting hole for another JI. Some people dispute it but I follow the professional advice and do not replant with another JI.

This JI, Oriental Eyes, is an excellent grower and I planted it in part shade just to test it. I'm very pleased with the color in part shade, not so much in full sun.



You can see one scape in full sun while the other (more colorful) scape is still in shade:

Not one for here, then, unless I want the more pastel colors.

I actually like seeing two very different looking scapes on the same plant.

As I have told you many times, I am in love with your gardens. You are an inspiration.

Debra - they are darkest when they first open and then lighten day by day and by day 3 they're ready to be deadheaded, especially in full sun. Variation in Pink is one with many shades of pink though some see it as orchid or pale lavender. Hardly matters how others perceive it - to my eyes the effect is pink. If your only choice for location is afternoon sun, you just might not be thrilled with them.





Thanks, Leslie! You're very kind.

Thank you Arlene, likewise your flowers are just beautiful.

Thanks, Phillip. I do thank God for the blooms. I'm just the caretaker. This is the photo I meant to post to show the difference between the first and last days of the blooms on Variation in Pink.

I have afternoon shade, but summertime morning sun in Texas can be brutal. Best to pick plants that don't fade fast.

Arlene, I love your color combinations, and your garden photographs make me think I need to pack more stuff into my beds I always am up to a shopping challenge

Rob, I've planted a lot of 'Ice Follies', 'Cheerfulness' (white and yellow forms), 'White Lion', 'Mt. Hood', 'Ice King', 'Tahiti'.. etc.. I like fragrant ones.. Some of the bigger fully double forms are too top-heavy and fall over when they get wet, but I don't have as much trouble with the smaller doubles. I get my bulbs from Van Engelen most years, but have been given bags from Costco that also do well. Some of the later ones bloom with the earlier Iris in this climate.

Also check out the Bill the Bulb Baron. He sells all the Naked Lady colors that you don't normally see. He's out by Moss Landing, so he grows what works here.

'Ice Follies' & a split cup variety from Costco


'Cheerfulness' or maybe 'Erlicheer' & 'Ice King'

We've only been in Texas in the February/March period, during horrendous ice conditions back in 2003, so I don't know the climate at all. We did love Luckenbach (where everybody is somebody), the German towns, Bush Country, Texas BBQ, Austin, and the San Antonio River Walk.

Such beauties, Sherry. My favorite is a multi stemmed one, Thalia. The tiny ones, like Tete a Tete are so charming and such a happy greeting in spring.

Yeah, I remember that storm.

It was some storm with non-stop news coverage on TV of all the road accidents on I 35.

Arlene, you JI are just wonderful! I have only 2 NOID but I just love them! Both are in the purple family, one is more of a lavender. I want to add a good white JI, what would you recommend?

Thanks,
Teresa

Thanks, Teresa. I don't have a favorite white though I do love Innocence and don't know where it's sold. I bought mine nearby.

Japanese Iris (Iris ensata 'Innocence')

It's unregistered so many won't touch it but it's lovely in the garden. I'm not a JI snob and will buy any that appeal to me.

Very pretty.

That is the way I feel about my Noids. You can not trade them like a named variety of plant but for garden appeal they do just fine. I have gotten a catalog from Ensata but never ordered yet. It seems like daylilies are my main passion.