Some of the bearded irises have started to bloom.
I had been frustrated about weeds - especially thistles - and worse, disease. Last summer, I dug up the old iris flower bed, removed and cleaned up the rhizomes, and replanted them in a raised area surrounding a tree stump. Contrary to recommendations and advice, I mulched with arborist chips. I've been able to keep ahead of any weeds.
The result is, the plants look healthy and strong. Slugs are still a challenge. I use slug bait. I didn't expect much if any bloom this year, so soon after planting. However, there are about thirty flower stalks.
The first to bloom is a hybrid I created many years ago. I had pollinated Immortality with pollen from Spiced Custard. The result was a white-flowered bearded iris with golden beards. I named it "Golden Caterpillar on Pilgrimage on Snowy Mountain, Seeking Enlightenment. Or Golden Caterpillar for short.
In a separate area, Sunny Disposition is blooming. This area still needs some cleanup.
Iris germanica florentina has been blooming for a couple of weeks. It is located inside the kitchen garden. I thought this clump was Immortality, but I was wrong.
Iris dalmatica is also starting to bloom. It's in the kitchen garden border. This area also needs some cleanup.
