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Growing on the High Plains: Fly Your Flags!

High Plains Public Radio | By Skip Mancini

Published May 24, 2018 at 10:35 AM CDT

My grandmother called them "flags," but they're also known as "poor man's orchids." Anyone aware of common flowers that take to our climate will surely recognize -- and likely know a little about --these blooms.

On today's Growing on the High Plains, I'll tell you all about the iris, a flower that's heady, hardy, and just right for thriving on the High Plains.

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HPPR Environment high plains gardening Growing on the High Plains irises

Skip Mancini

Years ago Skip Mancini left the rocky coast of Northern California to return to her roots in the heartland. Her San Francisco friends, concerned over her decision to live in a desolate flatland best known for a Hollywood tornado, were afraid she would wither and die on the vine. With pioneer spirit, Skip planted a garden. She began to learn about growing not only flowers and vegetables, but hearts and minds. If you agree that the prairie is a special place, we think you'll enjoy her weekly sojourns into Growing on the High Plains.

See stories by Skip Mancini

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Growing On The High Plains: Much Ado And Adieu, Azalea

Skip Mancini

The High Plains region isn’t for everyone, especially azaleas, which adorn themselves in an array of reds and blues – when, that is, they're planted pretty much anywhere but here.On today’s Growing On The High Plains, I’ll talk about the trials and tribulations I've shared with azalea plants have faced together and about my final farewell to the finicky flower.
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Growing on the High Plains: Lovely Lavender

Skip Mancini

Today on Growing on the High Plains, we're going to keep it clean with a walk throught he wafting felds of an aromatic herb most associated with washing.…
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Growing On The High Plains: House Plants For Health Care

Skip Mancini

We often choose to surround ourselves with living organisms because we can indeed feel their presence. After more than a year of lockdown, quarantine, and…
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Growing On The High Plains: Lincoln Center—This Summer

Skip Mancini

As we march past a full year of pandemic anxiety, it’s refreshing to know that some improvements have been made to a return to community arts. As the…
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Growing On The High Plains: Memory Of My Mother ... And Sun-dried Tomatoes

Skip Mancini

Today’s Growing on the High Plains features an anecdote about my late mother and her unfortunate encounter with a peculiar addition to her artisanal…