Spring 2008,
Another year has gone by and this catalogue was to be about half the size of last seasons, however it has not quite worked out that way. We have drastically cut back on what we are growing both in the types of Iris and the range of varieties, but it is hard to let some varieties go when they have proven so valuable to the colour range that we have. So, it seems it is going to be a staged withdrawal. Many more varieties will have to go next round. This also goes for the Daylilies as well and we only have just a few newer varieties this year.
We have also altered the descriptions in the catalogue this year. Apart from our new introductions, we have let the photos do the talking and left in only the information that the photo cannot supply, like height, time of flowering and pedigree. We think colour photography and printing processes have improved so much and although they can never be 100% accurate, a photo can save a thousand words.
As mentioned in last seasons catalogue, Lesley and Barry are going to be taking it a bit easier in the Spring, allowing more time for hybridizing, photography and generally enjoying the flowers. To this end we will not be open during Spring with a cut floral display in the barn and open gardens.
Our children are planning on opening for some direct plant sales on some weekends, but there will not be the usual hundreds of vases of Iris and lots of pots for sale as in the past. They will be selling some of the older varieties bare rooted. See below for the open times.
We will still have our mail order business working to supply our Iris from the catalogue from late November through to May and for Daylilies anytime. Hostas also anytime except when their foliage is very new and brittle in early Spring. In the future we plan on still offering our new introductions in Bearded Iris as well as a limited range of newer varieties from overseas. We like to have a look each northern Spring at what is available for sale in America and import the chosen ones through the Australian Quarantine Service(AQIS) and although this is very expensive, it is worthwhile going and looking instead of just picking from a list without even seeing a picture. Choosing the right varieties can easily save the air fare just through saved quarantine costs. We also have a chance to see what other Iris hybridizers are doing and what to expect from them in 4 or 5 years and to give us ideas for our own breeding program. This gives us just a chance to offer only the best of many hundreds of new varieties registered each year.
Our season here has been like so many other areas, dry in the extreme. Although Iris enjoy this type of weather, it is not good for gardens and farming generally, but at least the Iris reward us with a good show each spring. The dry seasons have been in this area now since 1996. We used to have water lying in the furrows during winter for many weeks. We have now had 12 years straight with no wet furrows and it seems like a normal season to have a dry winter. Maybe a wet winter will be a surprise and we will have to learn how to manage things all over again.
Happy gardening
Lesley and Barry
