Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World
Cultivation suggestions and describes best practices for dwarf and median bearded irises, some of the hottest perennials on the market.

Dwarf and median bearded irises are the little floral jewels of the gardening world, extending the iris season by six to eight weeks with great panache. Relatively new on the horticultural scene, these small and miniature replicas of larger bearded irises have nevertheless taken it by storm, because their 4-to-27-inch height makes them the perfect size for most American gardens.

Dr. Kevin Vaughn, who has hybridized these irises over a 50-year period in diverse climates, describes all five dwarf and median bearded-iris classes here. He offers suggestions both for historical and modern cultivars, describes best cultivation practices, and details hybridizing methods. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 200 color photos of outstanding specimens, this comprehensive book is both for beginners who want to try some of the hottest perennials on the market, and for seasoned iris growers who want to learn more about their favorite plant.
1140150737
Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World
Cultivation suggestions and describes best practices for dwarf and median bearded irises, some of the hottest perennials on the market.

Dwarf and median bearded irises are the little floral jewels of the gardening world, extending the iris season by six to eight weeks with great panache. Relatively new on the horticultural scene, these small and miniature replicas of larger bearded irises have nevertheless taken it by storm, because their 4-to-27-inch height makes them the perfect size for most American gardens.

Dr. Kevin Vaughn, who has hybridized these irises over a 50-year period in diverse climates, describes all five dwarf and median bearded-iris classes here. He offers suggestions both for historical and modern cultivars, describes best cultivation practices, and details hybridizing methods. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 200 color photos of outstanding specimens, this comprehensive book is both for beginners who want to try some of the hottest perennials on the market, and for seasoned iris growers who want to learn more about their favorite plant.
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Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World

Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World

by Kevin Vaughn
Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World

Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises: Jewels of the Iris World

by Kevin Vaughn

Hardcover

$29.99 
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Overview

Cultivation suggestions and describes best practices for dwarf and median bearded irises, some of the hottest perennials on the market.

Dwarf and median bearded irises are the little floral jewels of the gardening world, extending the iris season by six to eight weeks with great panache. Relatively new on the horticultural scene, these small and miniature replicas of larger bearded irises have nevertheless taken it by storm, because their 4-to-27-inch height makes them the perfect size for most American gardens.

Dr. Kevin Vaughn, who has hybridized these irises over a 50-year period in diverse climates, describes all five dwarf and median bearded-iris classes here. He offers suggestions both for historical and modern cultivars, describes best cultivation practices, and details hybridizing methods. Lavishly illustrated with nearly 200 color photos of outstanding specimens, this comprehensive book is both for beginners who want to try some of the hottest perennials on the market, and for seasoned iris growers who want to learn more about their favorite plant.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780764363894
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date: 11/29/2022
Pages: 144
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 10.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Dr. Kevin Vaughn lives in Salem Oregon, the global center for bearded-iris production, and has won numerous awards for his hybrids During his 30 years at the USDA he published nearly 200 articles on plant anatomy and genetics.

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments 6

1 Introduction 8

Classification 9

Two Important Species 12

Organization of This Book 13

Groups That Promote These Plants 13

2 Miniature Dwarf Bearded Irises 15

Iris lutescens 16

The I. pumila Revolution 16

Garden Uses and Culture 18

Kinds of Crosses That Generate MDBs 19

History of Miniature Dwarf Bearded Irises 21

Favorites 31

3 Standard Dwarf Bearded Irises 33

Garden Uses and Culture 34

Kinds of Crosses That Generate SDBs 35

History of SDBs 35

Favorites 48

4 Intermediate Bearded Irises 50

Garden Uses and Culture 51

Kinds of Crosses That Generate IBs 52

Why Are Most IBs Sterile? 52

"Aril-Medians" and "SPEC-X" 52

History of IBs 54

Favorites 62

5 Miniature Tall Bearded Irises 64

Garden Uses and Culture 66

Kinds of Crosses That Generate MTBs 67

History of Miniature Tall Bearded Irises 68

Favorites 84

6 Border Bearded Irises 87

Garden Uses and Culture 88

Kinds of Crosses That Generate BBs 89

History of BBs 90

Favorites 98

7 Culture of Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises 102

Choosing a Site 102

Planting 103

Companion Plants 104

The Rock Garden 109

The Mixed-Sun Border 109

Narrow Borders and Spot Gardens 111

Pots 111

Water and Fertilizer 111

Maintaining Your Irises 113

Diseases and Pests 113

8 Hybridizing Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises 116

Mechanics of Crossing 116

To Bee or Not to Bee? 118

Growing Dwarf and Median Irises from Seed 119

Establishing a Breeding Program 121

It's a Numbers Game-Beating the Odds 124

Understanding Flower Color Genetics 125

Tetraploid BBs, MTBs, and IBs 127

Run, Spot, Run! (with Apologies to Dick, Jane, and Sally) 128

Multiple Genes 129

Novelty Irises 129

The Anomalous Genetics of Amphidiploids 131

Problems and Opportunities in Each Class 132

Glossary 139

Sources for Dwarf and Median Bearded Irises 141

Annotated Bibliography 142

Index 143

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