Barry Blyth iris

Our Northern Light Iris society is contemplating an order from Barry, medians mainly. Has anybody in cold zones grown them successfully? Laurie? NH or VT irisarians?

They will arrive in April so we shall pot them up for a few weeks before setting out in the garden. I know we can get lots of his from US suppliers but we want some new ones.

Inanda

Inanda,

I currently grow 22 of Barry's babies, 18 of them medians, and 13 of them just planted this summer (so I have no idea how they'll handle a northern winter). The other 9 have been here between 1-5 yrs and are doing fine, though I've only seen bloom on 4 of them so far.

Over the last few years, I've lost an additional 8 of Barry's TBs and 1 of his IBs.

Does that help?

Laurie

Laurie, it sure does. Thanks very much. Now to decide which to buy. Want them all - of course.
Inanda

Just so you know, Keith Keppel carries a ton of Barry's introductions.(He has a partnership with BB and does his U.S. intros for him.) I don't know if shipping from the U.S. is any less expensive for you guys than shipping from Australia, but it might save you some money. Plus, the climate isn't nearly as different.

Cheaper straight from Oz and MUCH faster. Canada Customs treats plant material within the Commonwealth far differently than things from US> eg: took over 2 weeks to get an order from Iris City Gardens last year. Boxes sat in Canada Customs in Winnipeg for 10 days before they released them. Finally had to go to my MP to get them out of jail. Iris all survived but don't wnat to go through that again.

From Oz, they take the same 3 days to get here and are usually released same day they arrive in Winnipeg, so they can be planted at the outside 5 days after digging. Have never been able to do this with US shipments and after last year, won't be getting any more from US until I find someone who lives right near the border and will be an shipping address. Then I can go down, collect them and clear through customs myself, with phyto, all correct docs I mean.

That is what I like about the Seattle Flower Show. They issue phytos right there, so you can uy whatever you like at the Seattle show and bring them right back with you.

Inanda

Good to know. :0]