The charming irises of Louisiana – Article Picayune

By Pat Drackett

Director of the Crosby Arboretum

Guests to the Arboretum typically assume that the magnificent Irises they may see rising within the Arboretum’s water show within the spring are the “Louisiana Irises.” Nonetheless, the most typical species alongside Piney Woods Pond and different waterways in our reveals are the Southern Blue Flag Iris (Iris virginica). A few decade in the past, we’d report a number of surviving Louisiana Iris hybrids in our Slough exhibit, however they’re hardly ever evident.

Once in a while we nonetheless spot a fantastic copper iris (Iris fulva), considered one of 5 species native to North America bred to supply the spectacular array of cultivars named Louisiana Iris. A spectacular stand of large blue irises (Iris giganticaerulea) blooms within the spring in entrance of the quagmire in entrance of the customer heart. She can also be one of many “Well-known 5” Irises, and true to her identify, stands over six toes tall!

A number of hundred Big Blue Iris have been planted in winter 2019 on the fringe of the Arboretum Gum Pond on the north finish of the location. These vegetation have been a beneficiant donation from the Larger New Orleans Iris Society, a company whose mission is to gather irises from Louisiana wildlife and put together them for planting initiatives that improve alternatives for the general public to find out about them. extra on these lovely native perennials.

The Southern Blue Flag Frequent Iris is a low-maintenance backyard favourite frequent within the wealthy, moist soils of coastal wetlands from Virginia to Texas, the place water is year-round. Purple or blue flowers are present in numerous hues. The plant usually grows two to 3 toes in top, though it may well develop to 4 toes or extra. The Southern Blue Flag blooms most profusely in full solar in moist areas, however may even develop in altering shade. It is vitally straightforward to propagate both by division or from seeds.

How have you learnt if an Iris in your backyard or that you just simply purchased is (actually) a Louisiana Iris or another native species, or a non-native (and probably invasive) species? That is simply one of many many suggestions you may be taught from Iris knowledgeable Eileen Hollander, who’s working a present this Saturday March 13 on Louisiana Iris. Initially from New Orleans with a house and backyard in New Orleans and Poplarville, Ms. Hollander has been a volunteer at Crosby Arboretum for over 20 years and a Pearl River County Grasp Gardener for over 15 years.

Along with being the previous president of the Larger New Orleans Iris Society Inc., Ms. Hollander can also be a choose of the American Iris Society (AIS), former regional vice-president of AIS and former Society for Louisiana Iris and Larger New Orleans Iris Society. Crew member. She has printed in Fleur de Lis, The Journal of the Society for Louisiana Iris, and in “A Information to Louisiana Iris in and Round New Orleans”.

Different accolades for Ms. Hollander embrace her place as previous president of the Mississippi Grasp Gardeners Affiliation. She is considered one of solely two superior grasp gardeners in Louisiana on this area, served on the council of grasp gardeners of Larger New Orleans, and was a grasp gardener in Louisiana and Mississippi for over 15 years.

Come be taught from an actual knowledgeable! Do not miss Ms. Hollander’s Louisiana Iris program this Saturday, March 13 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Be taught the secrets and techniques of rising these lovely perennials, how to decide on the perfect iris primarily based on the judging standards of the American Iris Society and recommendation on propagation and hybridization. House is proscribed. Name 601-799-2311 to register and reserve your spot as quickly as doable. The fee is $ 5 for members and $ 8 for non-members.

For extra data in your spring gardening initiatives, go to the MSU Extension ‘Good Landscapes’ webpage for research-based and dependable data particular to Mississippi that can provide help to create low-maintenance gardens (http : //extension.msstate.edu/ smartlandscapes).

The following Arboretum Spring Native Plant Sale will probably be on Friday and Saturday March 19 and 20 (Friday / Saturday) from 10 a.m. to three p.m. and Sunday, March 21 from midday to three p.m. -to discover native bushes, shrubs and spring-flowering perennials. Plant professionals, together with Arboretum Inexperienced Crew volunteers and Pearl River County grasp gardeners, will provide help to make choices.

In case your membership has expired, you possibly can renew (or be part of) on-line on our web site at www.crosbyarboretum.msstate.edu. Members can take part within the sale one hour earlier on Friday and Saturday.

Crosby Arboretum additionally has a Fb web page. We’re situated at 370 Ridge Street in Picayune, at Exit 4 of I-59, and are open Wednesday via Sunday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm. Pets on a leash are at all times welcome on our three miles of trails!