Smokin Heights Iris Garden

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Posted 2016-09-26 by Kat May ⇒ follow

Smokin' Heights Iris Garden is located on the outskirts of Kapunda on the Clare Road which runs between Kapunda and Tarlee. They have a mail order business for bearded iris rhizomes and will post these on receipt of payment. The display garden is only open to the public during their annual open day weekends. They will also open by appointment during the blooming season for customers.

The location is a beautiful country farm and the iris beds sit high above the paddocks on a ridge. It is a pleasant outing even just to look at the flowers. The entry is a gold coin donation to charity and there is no obligation to buy. But just try to resist, as these flowers are stunning, adding something different to your garden beds.

If you are interested in adding a few iris plants to your garden the best way to do this is go and view the flowers when they are in bloom. There is a wide variety of colours and heights to choose from. Iris grow very well in South Australia's dry climate. After you select your favourites, which could take a while as there are many plants here, you place your order. The bulbs are actually rhizomes and are then dug up after flowering is finished a few weeks later. They are then divided and sent off for orders. The prices differ due to some of the iris being low in stock or a newer variety.

I was seeking some dark purples and blues and made a selection after looking at every single plant in the field. They have over 1000 so it does take a while to view them. Take a pen and notebook as you will get too confused otherwise.

The iris business is a family concern and is shared by Melissa Schiller and her son Bailey. They are very knowledgeable on the flowers types and what is available in the garden for the current year. They can give you advice on what iris may suit your colour scheme. The Schiller's have won awards for their beautiful iris flowers at the SA Iris Association Annual Show.