Katharine Hodgkin

AnjaP · Post by **AnjaP** » Feb 23, 2008 1:32 pm

Katharine Hodgkin is my favourite iris reticulata hybrid. It blooms consistently year after year. In Germany we call it Libelleniris which means dragonfly iris. I think this name fits.

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Feb 24, 2008 12:30 pm

That is a beautiful variety. I've been meaning to add it for eyars but never have. Dragonfly iris is a perfect name for these. The reticulatas just started blooming here as well. Here's a shot of Cantab, a nice, old, sky blue variety.

AnjaP · Post by **AnjaP** » Feb 24, 2008 3:11 pm

Your Cantab has a beautiful blue colour

.

oldcoot · Post by **oldcoot** » Feb 25, 2008 3:30 pm

When OC sees Reticulata and Daffodils he knows it SPRING here - almost.....OC

All 0f these are beautiful.......................OC

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Feb 27, 2008 10:57 pm

I saw Katherine Hodgkin in a garden center today and it was even more beautiful in person. It has a true green cast in the blend that is quite attractive. I've got to watch for these bulbs next fall.

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Mar 05, 2008 9:32 am

When it rains it pours. I was at the grocery store and checking out their little potted bulbs and lo-and-behold there's little pots of KH! Just about to bloom too.

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Mar 05, 2008 10:37 am

Mike, I picked up one that looks like the one posted at Freds but they were labeled Duch Iris 'Marguetite?' Are they the same as the one AnjaP posted? They call them the alpine spring bloomers from Clackamas Greenhouse Inc.
Thank you AnjaP for posting, your post is what caught my eye on these!

AnjaP · Post by **AnjaP** » Mar 05, 2008 12:31 pm

Hi Happy Karma Toes,
could you please explain to me what comet is? Is it a fertilizer?
Tonight we had some snow so I can not see my iris blooms today. I hope the snow will melt soon.
Greetings from Germany
Anja

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Mar 05, 2008 8:17 pm

Hi AnjaP, Comet is a sink cleaner that Mike has said will keep the under ground whatevers from chewing up the iris.
So when I read that I have been using it for a few years now and it really does make a huge difference. Maybe Mike can explain it better?? I just know it works miracles here.
We were in the 60 today so I was able to get the paint brushes out.

Garden_of_Mu · Post by **Garden_of_Mu** » Mar 07, 2008 11:58 pm

Actually, Comet, a chlorine based kitchen cleanser, is recommended for irises that have rot problems. Sometimes spring can bring on soft rot in vulnerable irises. The recommended treatment is to pull the dirt away from the rhizome, dig out the rot with a spoon, allow the healthy part of the rhizome to dry and then dust with Comet to keep the rot from recurring. I'm sure it is also helping control leafspot, but a light sprinkling of garden lime would be as effective.

Soft rot is most often associated with warm, wet conditions. Bearded iris like warm & dry or cold & wet, but not the vice-versa.

On a happier note - here's some more reticulata pics! KH is so much more wonderful when seen in person. Photos do not do it justice. The amazing play of light thru the petals is completely lost, as are the pure color tones.

kHT · Post by **kHT** » Mar 08, 2008 11:44 am

Thanks Mike for your reply, that really helps and I add lime also to the beds, so that is a good thing too!

AnjaP · Post by **AnjaP** » Mar 08, 2008 3:21 pm

Hi Karma Happy Toes and Mike,
thank you for the explanation. I do not think I can buy comet in Germany. But we plan to visit my husbands relatives in Pennsylvania and West Virginia in May 2009, I will then try to buy some comet. Until then, I will add lime to my iris beds.

Hallson Gardens

Katharine Hodgkin

Katharine Hodgkin

the springing has sprungen