The First 2 Days of The 2015 Season

View South over bed A-1

The snow is mostly gone but some spots in shade are still frozen solid.  The sun cooperated enough to make it bearable enough to get started working for the 2015 season yesterday.  I had to start cleaning up some areas that I didn't get to in the fall.  This map needs some updating but it shows the beds in my backyard.  Bed F is in the front and not visible here.  Beds A-0, D-0, D-1S&N, Bed D-2, and D-3 have been added in the back.

Starting with Bed F, I cleared leaves and discovered the iris reticulata have buds.  These earliest of all species in my area are a bulb not a rhizome.

Bed F cleaning

Iris Reticulata buds - Height 3"

Retulata with Gloves for comparison

On the 2nd day I finished with bed F and moved to bed A-3 which last year was connected to B-3.  The leaves had been cleaned so I just needed to tidy up some clumps of iris.  The massive ring of an unknown Siberian will be divided after the bloom season.

Beds A-3 and B-2 conjoined.

Unknown Siberian in A-3 in need of dividing

Every year some of the new rhizomes don't make it.  This one was particularly heart-breaking. It was in the GRIS club order from Keith Keppel.  'Hello Beautiful' was a brand new introduction from Barry Blyth. It is registered in 2013 because Blyth is an Australian grower.  Their season is 6 months different from ours.  With a list price of $75 I was looking forward to what could possibly be worth that.  I'll never known.  The rough winter caused frost heave sent it out of the ground and during a thaw rot set in.  It's a goner.  Many others are in fine shape.  Stuff happens.