[or-roots] Cooleys Irises

[Magbatt at aol.com]

Viola, 

Don't buy Iris bulbs - unless you want something exotic or special.   Chunks 
get thrown away every year by people who finally have to break down and divide 
theirs - and you don't even have to be finicky about how you do it.  Take a 
shovel, cut right into the main clump and you're in business.  I have left them 
laying out in the yard, barely covered with a a bit of dirt, until I had time 
to plant them, and they were just fine when I finally did.  (I don't 
recommend that procedure - just wouldn't want anybody to throw out a clump just 
because it hadn't been tended to properly. They are really tough!)  

Ask a neighbor or anyone who has a big clump for a piece.   You can tell when 
they need to be divided because the root (or rhizome or something like that) 
will be like tangled fingers on the surface, having grown right up out of the 
soil.  If you get some,  plant them almost like that - very shallow.   I don't 
claim to be an Iris expert, and don't want to start a garden discussion here 
- but they are SO easy to grow.  In the sun - shorter and more bloom.  In the 
shade - taller, greener and fewer flowers.    

So Maxine - care to share how you got your Cooley Iris, where you live, and 
when you'll be on vacation so we can drive by with a shovel?   (giggle)  I'm in 
WA, but get to Oregon on occasion.    Midge
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