Windsor Rose Bearded Iris

Iris germanica 'Windsor Rose'
    Bearded Iris,  Tall Bearded German Iris,  Orris Root

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    4A to 10A
Height    18" to 30" / 45cm to 75cm
Growth rate    Average
Form    Upright or erect
Exposure    Full sun

Bloom Color    Pink
Bloom Time    Spring

The flowers are fragrant and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy.
The pH preference is  a neutral soil.

Leaf Color    Green

Culture Notes
Prefers a sunny well-drained fertile soil.  Will tolerate some shade in well-drained areas.  Division can be done in the fall as well as early spring before new growth. The Orris Root can be dried and used in potpourris and other mixtures needing a lavender scent.

Paul's Glory Hosta, Featured Plant of The Day

Hosta x 'Paul's Glory'
    Hosta,  Plantain Lily,  Plantain Lily

Type    Perennial
Hardy range    3A to 8A
Height    18" to 24" / 45cm to 60cm
Spread    36" to 4' / 90cm to 1.20m
Growth rate    Average
Form    Rounded
Exposure    Full shade to partial sun
Persistence    Deciduous

Bloom Color    Lavender
Bloom Time    Summer

The flowers are showy and suitable for cut flowers.

Environment
This plant will grow in moist soil.
Suitable soil is well-drained/loamy, sandy or clay.
The pH preference is an acidic to neutral (less than 6.8 to 7.2) soil.

Leaf Color    Blue, green, variegated and yellow
This plant has attractive foliage.

Culture Notes
Remove flower heads when flowers are spent.  Hostas will grow best in a moist, fertile loamy soil in a woodland setting.  Plants go well with: Astilbe, Ferns, Epimedium, Rodgersia, and Dicentra sp. This plant is considered mostly allergy free and causes little or no allergy problems in most people.

'Paul's Glory' has yellow foliage with a blue-green edge.   A medium-size hosta, it has bell-shaped blooms which top 2" scapes.  Its leaves are thicker than most hostas, making it less prone to slug attack and other pests.  Deer and rabbits are, however, attracted to 'Paul's Glory'.  There should be a reduction in nitrogen in late summer so as to allow the plant to get ready for fall dormancy.  'Paul's Glory' was selected by the American Hosta Growers Association in 1999 for its outstanding merits.