On a recent visit to Sebright gardens I was excited to see a selection of Dwarf bearded Iris in many pastel shades that Elizabeth and Edith would have been thrilled to encounter. Early journal notes show how they loved to combine dwarf and miniature Iris with low groundcovers such as Golden Alyssum and Violas. They were constantly playing with different color combinations.

Iris ‘Clear Blue Sky” alongside Golden Alyssum and Bowles Mauve Wallflower make a wonderful impression in the Drying Garden.

Mark demonstrating an old fashioned technique for ripening Tulips. After blooming, the tulips are dug up, bundled together, dipped in sulfur for a fungicidal effect and then wrapped in burlap so the foliage will be absorbed to form flower buds for next year.

The tidy bundles of Tulip bulbs will be allowed to get some sun, but the bulbs are kept shaded and cool. This allows us to make room for the summer annual plantings.
![IMG_6022[1]](https://gaietyhollow.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/img_60221.jpg)
A new tool for an old technique!
So, on a recent visit to the horticultural supply store, I picked one up and gave it a shot. I will say that, while it is much easier to get a nice straight line with the Christmas Tree knife, it sure does give the swinging arm a workout! A bit of advice, the German-made blades are thinnerso will only cut the finest new growth, while American-made blades are thicker with more backbone for cutting the woodier material.
It was a fun week of trying out some old, time-proven techniques in a garden with a long and storied past. The Camellias are finishing up the bloom so it is on to trimming those. No machete work there, just hand clippers and an orchard ladder for that task.
Mark
Interesting way to preserve the tulip bulbs. They were so beautiful in your photos! Prunus in the alley looks great!!
On Mon, May 4, 2020 at 9:51 AM Lord & Schryver Conservancy blog wrote:
> Lord & Schryver Conservancy posted: “On a recent visit to Sebright gardens > I was excited to see a selection of Dwarf bearded Iris in many pastel > shades that Elizabeth and Edith would have been thrilled to encounter. > Early journal notes show how they loved to combine dwarf and miniature Iris > ” >