Van Dycks

Varieties

Hosta

(Funkia, Plantain Lily) Plant in moisture-retentive, humusy soil in dappled shade. Few varieties tolerate sun while most will grow in full shade. Space 18-36" apart. A very long-lived perennial that rarely needs to be divided. Grown for their handsome foliage, hostas are the backbone of most shade gardens. Grows 18-36" tall, depending on variety. Blooms summer. Hardy in zones 3-9.

Houttunyia cordata

Plant in moist to boggy soil in full sun to shade. Space 18" apart. Plant spreads quickly to form a dense groundcover. Leaf color is more vibrant in full sun. Grows 6-9" tall. Blooms June-August. Hardy in zones 3-8.

Indian Blanket

See Gaillardia aristata

Iris

Iris can be divided into two major types; bulbous and rhizomatous types. See Iris in the “Bulb” section for culture of the bulbous types. The rhizomatous types can further be divided into three groups as listed above.

Iris chrysographes

(Black Iris) Plant in neutral to slightly acid soil enriched with moisture-retentive humus in full sun to lightly dappled shade. Space 36" apart. Water deeply in periods of drought. Divide in late summer or fall when clumps become crowded. Grows 12-24" tall. Blooms June. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Iris cycloglossa

See Iris oncocyclus

Iris dardanus

See Iris oncocyclus

Iris, Dwarf

See Iris pumila

Iris ensata

(Japanese Higo Iris) Plant in slightly acid to neutral, moisture-retentive soil in full sun to partial shade. This Iris is happy in shallow standing water. It cannot tolerate hot, dry conditions. Plant rhizomes about 2" deep and 18" apart. Divide every 3-4 years as plants become crowded. Divide after flowering or in fall. Replant the divisions immediately; do not let them dry. Grows 24-36" tall. Blooms July, the last of the Iris to bloom. Hardy in zones 4-9.

Iris foetidissima

(Coral Iris) Plant in spring in dry to damp soil in full sun to shade. Amend the soil with a bit of lime and humus. Space 24" apart. Water deeply during periods of drought. Grown for its showy seed pods in fall. Evergreen foliage is malodorous when crushed. Grows 18-30" Blooms June. Hardy in zones 3-9.