A tisket a tasket ..... an iris in my basket.

Iris blooming at Taddiken Farm

If you are reading this gardening blog, then I presume you are a gardener or at least interested in gardening.  Right?  So what is your favorite spring flower?  Mine is easy ....... it's the iris.  So many great atributes.  They are fairly carefree.  They sport big showy blooms of an infinity of colors.  The plants are nearly indestructable. They thrive in any spot in our yards. They multiply over time so can be divided and shared.  They have a nice smell but not a strong smell so I can bring them into the house if I want.  They take up a decent amount of space in the garden.  The big drawback to growing iris in my opinion, is that grass loves to take up residency in their beds.  You cannot get up next to the iris plants with a hoe.  Ever try pulling grass out from around those tubers.  Doesn't work well either. 

I just opened my May newletter from the Extention Service.  It has an article about a couple of chemicals that we can use for those pesky grassy iris beds.  They can also be used in broadleaf perennial beds.

According to Extention Horticulture Agent David Coletrain, there are two major weed killer types that are used to kill grassy weeds in broadleaf plants.  The herbicides "Poast" and Fusilade II" can help gardeners who don't have the time or inclination for hand weeding.  These products are specific for controlling grasses.  All broadleaves are not affected.  This means that the applicator can spray the top of perennial beds and control grass problems. 

Fusilade is often sold under the names of "Grass-B-Gon," and  "Grass-No-More-Over the Top Spray" and "Over the Top Grass Killer".  Poast is commonly sold as "Hi-Yield Gras Killer" and Monterey Grass Getter". 

The above info is from a newsletter called River Valley Green Thumb Guidelines.  It may be found at http://www.rivervalley.ksu.edu/