help please

hi all,
This is the first time I have written to anything like this, I hope someone will be able to help me with my query.
My query is,will Iris's thrive and grow in very waterlogged soil, the soil also has a lot of clay in it and is very slow at draining. Many thanks.
Maz

 

Yes Maz perfect... a friend gave me a bundle some years ago and just stuck it in a big tub for the time being.Since then they flowered out of there every years,about 6 yrs now, so ...water they need,my Ducks used the pond, so couldn't put them in there.

 

Hi Ladybird,
Cheers for the info, much appreciated.Will move them asap.
Maz

 

Hi Ladybird & Maz
Doesn't it depend on what type of Iris they are? most bulbous Iris prefer well drained conditions, and many bearded Iris also. Iris pseudoacorus - Yellow flag Iris is a bog/waterside plant. I chrysographes, I laevigata (Japanese), Siberian Iris would thrive in wet clay. Have you a full name for your Iris? It may pay to have a look at RHS Encyclopaedia of plants or try http://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/index.asp

 

Agree with Bayleaf, inc. varieties mentioned (I.pseudacorus & I.sibirica hybrids). Most of the large-flowered showy types you see are hybrids of Iris germanica, and they really need sunny spots in light freely-drained sandy soils (ditto I.pallida), though the lovely blue Jane Phillips does OK-ish on my London clay, ditto the beautiful winter flowering I.stylossa

Ian.

 

Hi Ian,
Thanx for your comments. Unfortunately I do not know what type of Iris's I have, I was given them many years ago and just planted them in the garden where they have grown ever since!They really do need sorting out, all I can tell you about them is that they are a deep purpley blue colour and are beginning to flower now. I know this isn't much help, but it's all I got!!

Maz

 

What sort of soil do you have Maz? & Where are they growing in your garden (sunny, shady, dry, damp etc)? This will narrow it down a bit.

 

If they are coming into flower now,and have fan like leaves from a hard rhyzome chances are they are the same kind that I have - which are bearded iris's and mine too are in bud. They do fine in clay though mine are growing in a raised bed- the only thing you need to check is that the rhyzome is exposed to to sun - and as they grow away from the centre, they need splitting at periodic intervals to avoid a bare middle of plant.

 

Hi all,
The type of soil in my garden is very clayey!! Where my Iris's are growing at the moment, is under the front window where the soil isn't as clayey! as the rest of the garden but it does sometimes get very soggy after a good old rain! In a morning they are in shade and the afternoon gives them full sun, the rhyzomes are above ground. The leaves are long, about 1-2inches wide tapering to a point and the flower is purpley blue. If i had a camera i would take some pics for you to see, have to see what I can do about that!!Sorry I cant offer more info.

Maz