Tall Bearded Iris 'Stairway to Heaven'

Very few tall beardeds (TBs) can survive my growing conditions. This northern MN zone 3b climate inflicts severe, extended cold during t...Read Morehe winter months, often with little snow cover for insulation. Summer temps can exceed 90 degrees F. My soil is very heavy, compacted clay with a slightly acid pH. A large local deer population frequently tramples and sometimes grazes on my irises in early spring and late fall. Iris borers are present but managed successfully with a granular systemic grub control product. Weeds are abundant and only occasionally beaten back by an admittedly lazy gardener (yours truly). Fertilization is inconsistent, when provided at all. Most TBs here are growing with less than 6 hrs of sun per day, so growth and bloom are not what they could be under full sun conditions. I have lost hundreds of weaker TB cultivars over the years, so the few that have managed to survive are worthy of high praise.

STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN is an incredible iris in every way. In my worst bed, it increased like crazy, never showed the slightest susceptibility to soft rot, survived two winters that killed off several hundred other TBs, and provided me with beautiful blooms this spring. This is what all Dykes Medals winners *should* be! I highly recommend this cultivar.

Laurie