Iris for pond/marginal
Researching/planning, as you do at this time of the year, yet more plants for in and around my wildlife pond when spring time finally comes around, I am looking for some advice/comments on the different Iris that are available.
I intend to stock the pond/marginal with a selection of both native and non native species of plants. In theory I know that all native would be best but I am partial to a bit of variety and am looking to add some Iris. I already have a good sized clump of the variegated form of our native flag Iris which I have to admit I am not particularly fond of! I also have a good sized clump of Iris chrysographes which will be split and moved up nearer the pond. In the hope they do well there too.
On looking at various online suppliers I have found that there are a number of species ie. I. fulva, laevigata, versicolor, siberica, ensata and kaempferi, from which I can choose. The last 3 I am reading are no good with wet feet but will happily grow in moist soil so they would be good for the surrounds.
I am looking for something that is reliable and hardy here in Central Scotland. Are there any of the above I should steer clear of or too fussy in their needs? I'd be interested in what other growers have experienced.
Thanks in advance.
Posts
How big it this pond Angie? How many varieties can you fit in?
If you don't like the variegated I. pseudacorus I'd get rid of it before it goes too far. I have a variety called I. p var bastardii, a nice cream colour. I don't like the variegated one either. I think it's likely that both of these will seed back to the species yellow.
I haven't any experience of the others. I have ponds but the water levels are so variable only the tough can stand it.
In the sticks near Peterborough
I agree. Don't plant the native pseudacorus as it is a thug.
I like sibiricas and found them reliably hardy at the edge of my unlined pond in my exposed Belgian garden which I've just left behind. It would dry out to a bog in summer so their feet were just damp but fill up so they had wet feet in winter.
I also tried some of the marginal laevigata irises but they all froze to death in bad winters so I gave up trying. They'd have been alright for the last 3 or 4 years though as frosts haven't got below -8 or so..
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
nutcutlet - the pond is just under 4x3m. I would like a few varieties in the hope of extending the flowering interest. Flowering times is something I've yet to take into account. I rather like the creamy colour of the one you suggest. I will look into it.
Obelix - I am hoping that my new pond won't dry out. I suspect here that won't be an issue. Maybe best I don't put too much hope into the laevigata iris. You never know just when the next bad winter will be!!
Have you got marsh marigolds to start the season? A variety of irises won't extend it much by comparison with plants from another genus
In the sticks near Peterborough
I don't have a final list of plants yet nutcutlet, still at the research stage but marsh marigolds are on my 'wish list' nutcutlet.
Angie - my bad winters were below -20C for a week or 3 at a stretch which you are unlikely to experience in the UK. My pond was unlined as I needed it for drainage and wildlife rather than ornament. I did have marsh marigolds, and they were very successful but not invasive.
You should look at plants like water hawthorn, sagittaria sagittifolia, pontederia and water mint to extend your season of interest for flowers and foliage..
"We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw