Ratzie8665's Blog

April 2008

Ratzie8665's Blog

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Apr 4, 2008 | 2:31 PM PST

I have many "pass along" irises in my garden. In one area, they were almost exclusively a very dark almost black purple. This year, they seem to be changing in color and now are a very light peach, almost beige in color. My neighbor calls them "China Doll". Can irises "naturalize" to another color? I have seen many old white ones at old deserted home sties, but not the China Doll color. The same thing seems to be happening to my neighbor's plants. Could it be our soil type? Another neighbor has a bed that is virtually neglected that has retained it's color, a vivid orange color.

Any advice would be appreciated

Thaks

Ratzie8665

3 Member Comments

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yardgranny6	Apr 4, 2008 \| 3:52 PM PST I have been thinking about your question today and I wonder if perhaps this iris has been in your garden all along. When Iris rhizomes are young it may take a couple of years before they bloom. Keep a check on them and let us know if your original color begins to bloom again. It could also be that the dark ones need to be thinned and are not blooming right now. Interesting questions though. Can you post pictures of the old flower and the new flower? I have never had iris change color, but do know they need to be thinned in order to keep blooming. Linda B
bsmitch	Apr 4, 2008 \| 7:40 PM PST I tend to agree, there probably is a mix of rhizomes and some times they don't all bloom every year. It might be a good idea to dig them and separate them about a month after the blooming has stopped. Replant them immediately and spread them out a bit, giving them more space to multiply. They will do better next year. You have a great day and happy gardening. Bill Mitchell
rockybane	Apr 5, 2008 \| 8:12 PM PST I have read somewhere (but I don't remember where) that sometimes the more common iris such as the white ones you mentioned seeing, multiply more and faster than, say, hybrid type. So, then, many times when people think they have changed color, it's really just a case of the more common type crowding out the hybrid type. But if you didn't have the "china doll" color to start with, don't know. Sorry, I know I am clear as mud. Last edited by rockybane on April 5th at 8:13 PM.

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