Planting for Moist Shade - Part 3: Japanese Iris

» Marge_Talt - Japanese Iris

We've missed you around here! I was beginning to wonder if you'd succombed to all the work of changing your stream course.

I am glad to hear you testify about the Japanese Iris. I wondered about the veracity of what I'd read, since I kept that lot in the pot in a saucer of water all winter and they seemed quite happy.

I also find interesting that you use manure on them as I had, once again, read that manure was fatal to them. Just goes to show that you cannot believe everything you read, even if written by reputable authors!!!

I knew they needed as much sun as they could get, so didn't even think about putting them in my new "bog" garden, which only gets dappled sun. I put the lot that's in a pot on the walk next to the drive - about the sunniest part of my garden. And, I'm seriously thinking about digging up the clump that's in my Circle Garden and putting them in a pot, too, so I can give them more sun. That garden gets shadier as time passes...as most do.

You are so lucky to have an unending supply of horse manure! What riches...I live in what used to be a "horsey" area - there are still a couple of places with them - but have not been able to get my hands on any manure...don't have anything to haul it in, for one thing. My NGP husband puts his foot down on hauling it in the car. Sigh...so close, yet so far away.

Caltha palustris I have seen photos of, but never seen "in the flesh". Once I see how the things I've put in that new garden fare, I will be able to tell if I have room to try this one.

Heracleum mantegazzianum I have also seen in pictures. That one I know I have no space for at the moment. It certainly is a monumental plant and I've mildly lusted for it as I muse through books that show it. I do love huge plants, too, but think one needs really deep borders for them to display well.

I've also read about its skin problem causing. How do you deal with cutting it back and all? Do gloves and long sleeves protect well enough? Do you compost the remains and if so, does rotting down get rid of the poison? If you are unlucky enough to brush it, can you go wash immediately or does the poison take effect instantly?

A net pal sent me Cardoon seeds and I'm trying my hand at growing this one. Lord only knows where I'll put it if I'm successful.

And, Gunnera....how I long for that one. Some day! I put Darmera peltata in the center of the new garden as a sort of substitute.

Your garden sounds quite marvelous. Got any photos to share??? If you do, and you can scan them, you can email me the scans and I'll be happy to put them up on a page so we can all enjoy your huge plants and bog garden. For that matter, I know Carol would be totally delighted to feature your garden on the Virtual Garden Tour! I know you're heading into spring and all of us winter bound northern hemisphere types would love to drool over your garden and pretend it was spring here, too.

If you have no scanning facilities, you could snail mail them to me and I'd scan them for you...let me know.

-- posted by Marge_Talt