The Daylily and Iris Collection

It has been five years since we completely reworked our iris and daylily collections. A brick walking path was installed through the area and the garden beds were designed along the walk. Senior Gardener, Charles Applegate, is the curator of the daylily and bearded iris collections, which include about 200 cultivars of daylilies, 50 cultivars of tall bearded iris and 10 cultivars of reblooming tall bearded iris. Kingwood's Director, Chuck Gleaves, curates the Siberian iris collection, which currently includes about 54 cultivars, and many additional selections being evaluated and grown in our nursery. 

Above is a portion of the Siberian iris collection. 

THE SIBERIAN IRIS 

With so many Siberian iris to choose from Chuck decided to feature tetraploid selections (iris which breeders have induced to double their chromosome count). Currently about half of the Siberian iris on display are tetraploids, although many tetraploids in the nursery will gradually replace diploids in the collection. Introductions by tetraploid iris breeders such as Tamberg, Hollingworth, and McEwen are particularly well represented. Another interest of Chuck's is to display the Siberian iris that will remain upright after they finish blooming. Far too many otherwise excellent selections of Siberian iris have the bad habit of spreading out in the summer. These not only look messy, but they also fall all over neighboring plants. 

Above is Berlin Ruffles, a tetraploid Siberian iris in our collection bred by Tamberg and introduced commercially in 1993

Above is Lucky Lilac, a tetraploid Siberian iris in our collection bred by McEwen and  introduced commercially in 1988

THE DAYLILIES

Charles Applegate and his wife hybridize daylilies at home and have introduced many new and highly regarded selection. New selections are constantly being introduced to the daylily collection at Kingwood, but old favorites are included as well. July is a good time to view the daylilies. 

THE TALL BEARDED IRIS and the REBLOOMING TALL BEARDED IRIS

A favorite of the Iris Society the bearded iris put on a big show for our passers by on Park Avenue. Expect to see a lot of color beginning in mid May as the tall bearded iris come into bloom. The rebloomers come back into bloom in late summer and will sometimes continue even into November. 

Above is our bed of all repeat blooming tall bearded iris. 

THE FUTURE

Iris tectorum (Japanese roof iris) has found its way into the collection in an area that is a bit shady for vigorous Siberian iris growth. Look for more expansion of the diversity of our iris collection as a new bed is being prepared for Japanese iris and various hybrids of particular note. 

Above is Blueberry Fair, a tetraploid Siberian iris in our collection that was bred by Hollingworth and introduced commercially in 1997.