I think it must be around five or six years ago when we planted 80 - 100 bare-rooted Iris Sibirica 'Persimmon' on the east border of the Wibbly Wobbly Way

This border is sheltered from the east by a large old native hawthorn hedge.  The Iris is quite exposed from the south and west, panoramic views of the Vale of York as Yorkshire Lavender sits on top of the Howardian Hills.  A view to die for - I will never tire of this view as each season and climate produces the colours and light which move and highlight areas of interest on the horizon.

Anyway - back to Iris!

I did notice, last year the Iris was not flowering as prolific as they should - on close inspection, the base of each plant had grown full circle and in the centre of each circle had become woody and tangled.  So it was time to lift and divide each plant!

Oh dear! (I thought) this is going to be a job and a half!  As the border is about 45 metres long and 3 metres wide with 7 mounds which are part of the Wibbly Wobbly Way?s design.

We just could not put the job off another year, so today, Jane, Tracey and myself, armed with barrows, forks, spades, clippers, scissors, dressed in warm clothing and over-trousers etc with lots of enthusiasm and trepidation, started to tackle the immense job as this means to lift, weed (couch grass ugh!) divide each circle into 4-5 clumps and re-plant!

Luckily for us, the weather was kind but still pretty hard going (who wants to pay for work outs!) What we have done looks good!

Our friend, the Robin, was busying himself, an eye on the turned, fresh soil, looking for worms we exposed.  Robin came so close to Tracey ? he has a lot of nerve!

I did disturb a sleepy toad which made me jump (but not him) - so disguised amongst the earth.  I covered him up carefully with soil.

We still have a long way to go on the Wibbly Wobbly Way but my it looks good.

Iris Sibirica (Sibirican Iris) - An adaptable group of Iris, suitable for planting near water or any rich soil, prefers full sun.

Iris Sibirica 'Persimmon' - broad blue/purple flowers, height 90cm flowers June/July, attractive knife shape leaves appear in Spring and stay structural until the Autumn.  The leaves start to die back November/December.  Very hardy.

Yorkshire Lavender have bare-rooted Iris Sibirica 'Persimmon' for sale and mail order out £1.95 each health root.