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The Utah Iris Society will be hosting TWO IRIS SHOWS at the Sugarhouse Garden Center; 1602 East 2100 South; Salt Lake City, Utah.
Both shows will be FREE to the public.
The first show on Saturday, May 7th from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. will feature early blooming iris - usually smaller, shorter varieties. The theme for this show is "Iris Flower Heaven in 2011."
The second show on Saturday, May 21st from 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. will feature later blooming iris - including tall bearded iris. The theme for this show is "Flowers For Every Season." Utah Artistic Designers and National Council of Judges are also hosting this show.
Both shows will be judged. Iris will come from private gardens from all over the state. Members of the Utah Iris Society will be available to answer questions you may have.
If you're looking for a tough but beautiful plant, consider the iris, which thrives in harsh, urban environments.
I often tell people these plants are one of the remarkable survivors. Visit a neglected cemetery or an abandoned farm and you'll find these are one of the few surviving plants.
In spite of their ability to survive harsh Utah conditions, the flowers are as exotic as any tropical orchid. While they do survive difficult conditions, they bloom much better with a little extra care.
Bearded iris require eight hours of full sun. Although the plants are drought-tolerant, they do best with moderate amounts of water. They also grow best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil.
After selecting your site, prepare your soil by spading or turning it over with a garden fork at least 10 inches deep. Work some coarse organic matter into the soil and add fertilizer, if needed.
The most common iris in our area grow from rhizomes — or underground, spreading stems. (Although there are some iris that don't grow from rhizomes.) Each season the plants send out new underground stems that eventually produce new blooming shoots.
The biggest problem facing the plants is over watering. Other than that, they are usually pest free. Keeping the plants on the dry side discourages slugs and snails, although you'll need to do some baiting or slug/snail collecting as necessary.
In my opinion, the most serious pest problem for iris growers in Utah is weeds. Never let grasses or broadleaf weeds take over your iris beds. And don't make iris compete with nearby grass or weeds for food and water, or they'll grow poorly, and the blossoms will suffer.
The biggest problem is that people do not dig and divide their iris. You will get better blooms if they are not too crowded.
After the flowers fade, dig and divide the plants. Repeat this process at least every three years so the plants have new and vigorous growth that keeps producing large, showing blooms. And don't plant the iris too close together.
Written by: Written By: Larry A. Sagers Extension Horticulture Specialist Utah State University Service Thanksgiving Point Office
