The sward could then be cut down in the usual way in July or August after the irises and their companions have finished flowering; the debris raked off and composted; and the iris crowns would re-grow ready for the next season.


I. sibirica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ has regal purple petals


Siberian irises have been cultivated for longer than any other iris species: probably since the 17th century and enthusiasts have been raising plants from seed and selecting from the progeny


ever since. Although more jaded gardeners may dismiss the flowers as rather ‘mauve’, iris breeders have been proving  Perry, well known for his work on oriental poppies, raised an outstanding seedling, I. sibirica flowers do occur naturally but this one stood out amongst thousands of its brethren. Its large flowers have flared falls that stand horizontally from the upright central petals, the standards. And it has great vigour. It became the founding father of most of our modern hybrids, providing the genes for fuller, more rounded flowers such as I. sibirica ‘Caesar’s Brother’ with broad, regal purple petals, and I. sibirica ‘Silver Edge’ which rejoices in rich blue petals with, as its name suggests, a clear white margin.


Pink flowers are also constantly being improved. The early hybrids were a rather muddy mauve-pink, but lately flowers such as I. sibirica ‘Pink Haze’ are a lighter, more definite rose-pink. And more startling still is I. sibirica ‘Stephen  and a bright violet halo around the golden ‘signal’ that makes it sing.


The ever-popular ‘Flight of Butterflies’ is an older hybrid, but it’s a must in any garden. It’s shorter and bears numerous smaller, blue flowers that are carried on slender stalks above the foliage. But it’s the falls that earn its name: they are delicately stencilled with blue veining over white like the butterflies’ eponymous wings. It has been recently crossed with a modern, light blue variety I. sibirica ‘Cambridge’, to create I. sibirica  


There are some plants that will grow for England even in clay soils


blue standards and ivory-white falls with blue veins that are reflexed strongly down. It’s a taste of Siberian irises to 


In 1957 the late Amos Perry, known for his work on oriental poppies, raised an outstanding seedling, I. sibirica ‘White Swirl’


SPEAKERS BOOKLET now available


The latest edition of Country Gardener’s popular Speakers Booklet is now available for just £3.50 plus p&p.


This popular and unique booklet has been developed and updated to provide a comprehensive list of quality speakers and lecturers in the west of England.


It is an essential purchase for garden club secretaries, event organisers and societies.


The booklet lists full details of speakers available with a brief synopsis of areas of expertise, subject matter of talks, what they charge and how far they are prepared to travel.


The booklet costs £3.50 plus £1 p&p.


Please send your cheque made out to Alro Publishing Ltd for £4.50 to:


Speakers Booklet, Rock Cottage, Halse, Taunton, Somerset TA4 3AF. Country Gardener 19


SPEAKERS BOOKLET


HOBSON, GEOFF 30 LEIGH ROAD, WESTBURY BA13 3QL Tel: 01373 823820 or 07951496767 Email: m5eay.geoff@btinternet.com


1. Bonsai Basics 2. Butterflies 3. Easy Orchids 4. Garden Photography


I have many years’ experience in these subjects.


Speakers Booklet


HOLT, JONATHAN SHERIDAN HOUSE, 7 GROSVENOR BRIDGE ROAD, BATH, BA1 6BB Tel: 01225 319333/07948 292628 Email: jm.holt@virgin.net


Web: www.avongardenstrust.org.uk


1. Preserving and Recording Historic Gardens & Landscape 2. Architectural Follies & Garden Buildings


Jonathan is Chairman of the Avon Gardens Trust, one of a national network of gardens and landscape trusts whose aim is to highlight this part of our heritage. His special interest is architectural follies and garden buildings on which he has written extensively. Read his book on the follies of Dorset (www.dovecotepress.com) and Somerset (www.akemanpress.com).


£


HOWE, W. 41 BIGSTONE GROVE, TUTSHILL CHEPSTOW NP16 7EN


Tel: 01291 629054 or 0774 6241819 Email: bill.howeshorticulture@phonecoop.coop


August 2009 From


COUNTRY GARDENER - your local gardening magazine


1. Growing flowers for cutting 2. ‘Miscellany’


I am 55 years of age and run a small market garden. I am also a qualified teacher. The first talk shows how to grow a range of flowers for cutting from your own garden, with slides. The second is an introduction to botanical Latin, with a quiz, and telling amusing incidents in a horticultural life.


HURST, KIM & ROB


FIELD FARM, KNIGHTON-ON- TEME, TENBURY WELLS WR15 8LT Tel: 01584 781575


Email: thecottageherbery@yahoo.co.uk Web: www.thecottageherbery.co.uk


1. Kitchen garden herbs 2. Unusual edibles 3. Cottage Garden Plants


Chelsea Gold Medallists, organic peat- free growers for more than 30 years, still passionate about plants. Offer 10 different talks, titles include: ‘A Taste of Herbs’, ‘The True Cottage Garden’, ‘Organic Peat-free Growing’, ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’. Go to website for more details.


£ 14 £ 15 £


HUTCHISON, ADRIAN 2 WESTWELL LANE, THEALE, WEDMORE, SOMERSET, BS28 4SW Tel: 01934 712729/07779 072292 Email: adrian@nzzone.net


1. Weeds and their Control (including identification) 2. Wild Flowers in the Dolomites


I originally qualified in Agriculture, then spent nearly 20 years in weed research. Following that I qualified as a science teacher and have since worked as a horticulturalist working on gardens of all sizes. Have a lifelong interest in wild flowers, particularly alpines and have led walks in the Dolomites.


Speakers Booklet


LINDON-CRITCHLEY, DINAH TILLEY’S BARN, EAST COMPTON, SHEPTON MALLET, SOMERSET, BA4 4NR


Tel: 01749 346484 Email: blooming_plants@talktalk.net Web: www.blooming-hill-plants.co.uk


1. Perennials 2. Vegetables 3. Old Fashioned Roses


I run a small nursery specialising in traditional and unusual perennials, peonies and roses. I also sell tomato and other seasonal plants and vegetables. Talks include: Gardening on Chalk, Building a Border, Prairie Planting, Unusual Ways with Veg, Old and New Roses in the Garden.


£


MANNERS, DAVID ARPS 6 ROUNDOAK GARDENS, NYNEHEAD, WELLINGTON SOMERSET TA21 0BX Tel: 01823 661453 Email: david@davidimages.co.uk Web: www.davidimages.co.uk


1. Wildlife in the garden – friend or foe? 2. Photography in the garden


Plus many more. SAE for list or see website. Entertaining & informative illustrated talks by experienced photographer & knowledgeable general naturalist. Subjects range from natural history & travel throughout Europe, to award winning garden design. Stunning photography presented using digital projection. Highly recommended, over 95 % repeat bookings. Day photography workshops available.


£ £


MARCHANT, BARBARA 29 BRENDON ROAD, WATCHET, SOMERSET, TA23 0AX Tel: 01984 631357


1. Garden History 2. Travel and Plants 3. Wild Flowers


I am a former tour guide and lecturer in Kent and have travelled extensively throughout the British Isles and abroad looking at gardens and flowers in the landscape. I have researched a 19th Century author, artist and botanist and am currently researching and talking on gardens at seaside resorts.


£


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