Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is in constant summer bloom with whorled lavender-purple flower spikes. Combine 'Purple Rain' with the purple flowers with a darker eyezone of Hemerocallis 'Darius' and the late blooming lavender 'Orchid Corsage' in front of the dark maroon foliage of Pysocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' and silver filigree of Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is in constant summer bloom with whorled lavender-purple flower spikes. Combine 'Purple Rain' with the purple flowers with a darker eyezone of Hemerocallis 'Darius' and the late blooming lavender 'Orchid Corsage' in front of the dark maroon foliage of Pysocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' and silver filigree of Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is in constant summer bloom with whorled lavender-purple flower spikes. Combine 'Purple Rain' with the purple flowers with a darker eyezone of Hemerocallis 'Darius' and the late blooming lavender 'Orchid Corsage' in front of the dark maroon foliage of Pysocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' and silver filigree of Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is in constant summer bloom with whorled lavender-purple flower spikes. Combine 'Purple Rain' with the purple flowers with a darker eyezone of Hemerocallis 'Darius' and the late blooming lavender 'Orchid Corsage' in front of the dark maroon foliage of Pysocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' and silver filigree of Artemisia 'Powis Castle'. Salvia verticillata 'Purple Rain' is in constant summer bloom with whorled lavender-purple flower spikes. Combine 'Purple Rain' with the purple flowers with a darker eyezone of Hemerocallis 'Darius' and the late blooming lavender 'Orchid Corsage' in front of the dark maroon foliage of Pysocarpus opulifolius 'Diablo' and silver filigree of Artemisia 'Powis Castle'.

The 'royal family' of 'Decatur' daylilies, Decatur Emperor, Empress, Queen and Prince are all cloaked in lavender with distinctive purple eyezones and patterns. 'Decatur Prince' and consorts are an attractive alliance with the silver foliage and violet-blue flowers of Buddleia 'Lochinch'. Abdicate the Prince for 'King's Throne', with large lavender orchid flowers and darker eyezone on well branched scapes.

A regal pairing for the shady garden is purple petioled and maroon tinged leaves of Ligularia 'Desdemona', lavender flowered Hosta 'Gold Edger' accented with Carex 'Bowes Golden' and the outrageous black-eyed magenta flowers and chartreuse foliage of Geranium 'Ann Folkhard' weaving through.

Sensational Siberian Iris

Named after Iris, the Greek goddess of the rainbow, the perennial by the same name has a noble patroness to follow. Siberian iris are up to the task. They light up the late spring and summer garden with regal beauty and low-maintenance hardiness.

Siberian iris are native to moist meadow areas in central Europe and east-central Siberia. They are one of several species of beardless iris. They have fibrous-root systems, unlike their bearded relatives that possess fleshy rhizomes. Siberian iris tolerate damp conditions and even water-logged soil. They are also quite happy in well-drained loam soils amended with organic matter and topped with a moisture-saving mulch. Established clumps are quite drought-tolerant. Full sun locations are best for a profusion of flowers.

Siberian iris flowers are distinctive in structure and form from most other blooms. A stylized Siberian iris flower, the Fleur-de-lis, was the emblem of French royalty. The design of this majestic inflorescence consists of three outer petals that hang downwards, known as falls, and three erect petals called standards. In addition the flower contains three colorful styles, between the standards and falls that are petal-like in appearance.

The color of species Iris sibirica, is blue-violet, with a blaze or signal pattern on the falls veined brownish- yellow. Hybridizers have created many color variations ranging from shades of blue ('Rosace') to lavender-pink ('Lydia Winter') and wine-red ('Ewen'), snow-white ('Illini Peace') and even the color breakthrough - primrose-yellow ('Butter & Sugar').

The color patterns on the standards, falls and styles may be a solid color (self) such as the purple Pirate Prince', or veined and mottled like 'All in Stipple'. The color pattern of white standards and colored falls is known as an "amoena". It is common in bearded iris hybrids but rare in Siberian iris. 'Yankee Doodle Boy' has such a color break with light-blue standards fading to white over darker blue falls with white styles.

Siberian iris bloom from late May through June. 'Yankee Doodle Boy' is one of several varieties that will rebloom in late July and August with sufficient moisture. Siberian iris have reed-like, green foliage that is attractive long after the blooms have faded. This combination of flowers and foliage lends to a long season of pleasing combinations in the mixed border.

Combine violet-blue Iris sibirica 'Marilyn Holmes' with pale-yellow Achillea 'Moonshine', blue Campanula persicifolia and blue oat grass (Helictotricon) for colorful flowers and foliage. In a damp location Filipendula ulmaria, Iris sibirica 'All in Stipple', Trollius, Aconitum, and Acorus gramineus 'Ogon' light up the garden.

Blue and yellow is a refreshing color combination in the garden. Add the chartreuse yellow foliage of Spiraea thunbergi 'Ogon' and Molinia caerulea 'Variegata' to the classic blue Siberian Iris 'Swank' and lighter blue flowers of 'Sally Kerlin' with daffodils to create a long season of beautiful texture and color.

Plant Siberian iris this fall for delicate regal splendor in next year's late spring and summer garden.

Reliable Recurrent Bloomers

'Percheron'

'Yankee Doodle Boy'

Alluring 'Pinks'

'Carrie Lee'

'Fairy Dawn'

'Lydia Winter'

'Pink Haze'

'Pink Snowtop'

Wine Reds

'Cabernet'

'Eric the Red'

'Ewen'

'Red Passion'

Classic White

'White Swirl'

 This color coordinated collection of a dozen dazzling Siberian Iris will make a smashing garden display. A wonderful foil for these spectacular Iris is the maroon foliage of Weigela 'Wine & Roses', Cotinus coggygria 'Royal Purple' and Rosa glauca.

 This Select Collection represents an $89.00 value: One each of Twelve plants for $75.00

Or for a full garden of display:

Three each of Twelve Plants $210.00

(plus shipping charges and/or applicable Sales Tax)

Long Season Siberian Iris Collection

After a season of fluctuating weather conditions but good rainfall, we have had a long season of Siberian Iris bloom and re-bloom in our fields. The following collection will bring an extended season of colorful bloom to your garden.

One each of :

'Yankee Doodle Boy'

A $51.00 value

5 plants for $44.00

Garden Ramblings

The growing fields and display gardens at Tranquil Lake Nursery are just spectacular this summer. This colorful array seems especially glorious when we ponder this last spring's spell of fitful weather. A scorching heat wave in early May was followed by a heart wrenching and devastating frost. Spring rains, thankfully, were benevolent. The frost-blackened oak trees leafed out again in mid-June to a fanfare of Siberian Iris flowers and early blooming daylilies.

Through diligent irrigation and supplemental fertilization in our production fields, the worse-for-wear, frosted foliage of Iris ensata responded with a flush of growth and prodigious bloom. The Japanese iris bloom season extended well through July, accompanied by recurrent bloom on several Siberian iris ('Yankee Doodle Boy', 'Super Ego' and 'Percheron') to vie for attention with peak daylily bloom.

The National Daylily Convention tour followed our Summer Festival with more delightful weather and spectacular daylily bloom.

A dazzling spectacle in the 'Purple Garden' has been Phlox paniculata 'Blue Paradise'. It has the alluring ability to shift color. 'Blue Paradise' opens lavender-blue in the cool morning, changes to purple in mid-day only to reverse back to blue again. We promise to all who have been seduced by 'Blue Paradise' to increase its production and availability for next year.

Visit the nursery frequently in August and September to stroll through the gardens and fields and take in the unfolding late-season parade of color.

Tranquil Lake Nursery

45 River Street

Rehoboth, MA 02769-1395

(508)  252-4002    fax (508) 252-4740

www.tranquil-lake.com

or send us a message at Tranquil Lake Nursery