Daylilies (?) at the river's waterline

[jerryshenk]

We just got back from a kayak trip down the Conestoga River. We past a couple places that had what looked to me like daylilies growing right at the water's edge. We had seen them before and asked a guy what they were and I thought he said "water lilies" but, that's a lily pad - this look just like daylilies except the are pretty tall. There were in bloom 2 weeks ago but are just the greens right now. I'd like to plant some along our riverbank as I think they would help with erosion control. Anybody have any ideas what I might be looking for?

[Tigger]

Any chance they were Iris pseudoacorus, the yellow water iris? Moderately invasive non-native; I would use it only where it can be controlled.

David

[jerryshenk]

Thanks. That does look like the plant. Maybe I should keep an eye on the upstream neighbor's plants to see just how invasive this is. With spreading by rhizomes and seeds, it seems like it could get out of control pretty easily....maybe I shouldn't bee too hasty;)

Here are a couple links if somebody else stumbles across this post (or if I need to look it up later):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iris_pseudacorus
http://www.gardening.cornell.edu/homega ... e8f3c.html

[kHT]

I have to agree with Tiger, really invasive here but some of the farmers like the color and how it holds up on the banks.

[Tigger]

If you want a fully native iris that might do the job, try I. versicolor; Plant Delights sells a vigorous strain ('Contraband Girl') of the related I. viriginica. For a semi-native (Louisiana iris hybrid) that grows like a thug (maybe not seed-fertile), look for Black Gamecock. It blooms 2 weeks later (blooming now) than I. pseudoacorus.

[jerryshenk]

Well, I see that I haven't been on here for quite some time. I was a bit concerned about the invasiveness of what I was initially looking at so I kept looking around...should have checked back here
!

We did get some Louisiana River Iris - we planted on and in a couple months, it seemed to be doing really well so we got some more and then they went on sale and we got some of another color. Initially, we got the black gamecock and then we got some blue and yellow ones last. I'm a little anxious to see what they look like next spring...a common feeling I'm sure;)