Praising The Iris Beauty In Mid America
Potted annuals, perennials, and shrubs can still be successfully transplanted, but with the approach of hot and frequently drier weather, the season for bare root transplanting is about over. Some shrubs, especially spireas, which have compact fibrous root systems, can still be transplanted if they are dug with balls of earth, moved quickly and kept thoroughly watered until well established. Select a cloudy, cool day for the job. If the planting to be done is extensive, wait until fall. Container grown shrubs, trees and evergreens has made it practical to extend the planting season well beyond the former deadline. If you have some vacant places in your shrubbery plantings, check with your nurseryman for suitable container grown plants which may be planted now to fill in the open spaces.
It is not too late to select and plant potted roses. Try some of the new patents while they are in bloom at your local nursery or garden center.
Evergreens are growing rapidly and should not be moved now unless the planting is absolutely necessary. If you have to move them now, handle them quickly with good sized root balls. Removing some of the new growth will help balance up for loss of roots. A shade of burlap will cut down the trees evaporation and help it become adjusted to the new setting. Keep the transplants well watered and mulched.
Praising Irises
The finest display of irises ordinarily occurs in May but it is not too late to praise this lovely perennial. The bearded iris probably ranks first as the garden flower most universally planted. Since 1929, the iris has been the official flower of Kansas City, Missouri. It assumes an important role in park plantings, in large and small gardens, city dooryards, and even on the White House grounds in Washington. In fact, the iris is so common that some gardeners do not grow it just for that reason. If you should judge the beauty of the iris alone by the old, small flowering sorts, you could not care much for the iris. However, if you will take a little time to visit the wonderful displays of the beautiful new large flowering types, you may soon join the ranks of those who give irises a prominent place in the garden.
For continued success with irises, the plants should be divided and reset about every three years. Do this work as soon as the plants have finished blooming. Dig up the entire clump, and shake off the soil, being careful not to break the small young leaves. Using a sharp knife, separate the clump into several divisions, each with one or two rhizomes complete with its own roots and leaves.
Cut leaves back to about six inches and remove dead or diseased portions of the rhizomes. Spread out the roots and plant in a shallow hole in a fertile well-drained soil, preferably in full sun. Some bone meal may be mixed with the soil before planting. Plant the divisions just deep enough so that the tops of the rhizomes will be barely covered with soil. Water the plants, fill in and level the surface of the soil.
The early flowering miniature irises bloom in April and May. These would be the best times for you to create your trellis floral creations with the addition of irises. They are charming in groups in the flower border or rock garden and garden trellis especially when mixed with green trellis flowers.
Watch for black aphids on new growth of chrysanthemums. Hit them with Malathion, or pyrethrum. When mixing spray material, learn to estimate the correct amount needed to do the particular job. Surplus left after the job is done is wasted, since it should not be held over for future use.
