Great pictures/info, wieslaw. Helenium is one of my favourite perennials. I've grown numbers of Helenium cultivars. I find Helenium is relatively high maintenance, especially for the need to break up and replanted plants (in upgraded soil), every few years. If not, the plants get shorter and, over several years, peter away. Have had Helenium autumnale and various cultivars of the species like 'Rotgold' (Red and Gold) around for 10 to 15 years. Have also had a very robust, very tall and very yellow one (I assume it is 'Sonnenwunder'), 'Rubinszwerg' and 'The Bishop' for years. We've had 'Flammenspiel', 'Mardi Gras' and 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' for 4 or 5 years. I do like 'Sahin's Early Flowerer' for it's big blooms and long bloom time (and I don't mind staking). Most recent acquisition is 'Red Jewel'. Had it two years. Very attractive and seems quite robust. Believe heleniums have done well for me, in several gardens, because there's been sun, enriched soil, watering as required, staking if required and attention to division (pulling the plants apart) and replanting (as said).

Since beardeds have a realatively short bloom time color combos with roses are not as crucial as would be with a long blooming perrenial plant. In fact our iris are usually over before the roses begin. That said, I would choose those that *wow* you. I also check for awards won. Sometmes that convinces me to try one. Are all your iris going in the same bed? When choosing for color compatibility I line up thumbnail pics. In your group the lavenders, purple, white. and violets are compatible. Do not plant "light over darks" side by side. Plant a "dark over light" or "solid" between. 'Toronto', a rich apricot over burgundy, may be more difficult to place. It would show well with oranges, golds, burgundys. Another factor in choosing iris colors is the setting. My friend's redwoods show off the strong colors. My small garden is better with pastels. Sorry I don't have experience with those specific cultivars. I do have lav., purp., viol., pinks and soft yellow beardeds near Abraham D., Evelyn, lt. & med. pink roses.

kswl it is good to share- even chairs. lol I think from my internet research that the chair dates maybe from the 1850's. It has springs and the castors are porcelain. I can't find any Internet images of chairs like it, but I found two that had some of the same design elements and they dated 1858. I hope it is not sacrilegious to have covered the seat in teal fabric. :) I used the same fabric to add some teal stripes to some of my couch pillows. I don't think I am a good decorator but it was fun.

Oh wow! That's an awesome piece. A fantastic curbside find. I agree with the advice to clean it not refinish it and definitely don't sand it. Really amazing all the hardware is intact, that's wonderful. Not sure where you are, but about once every two months, I see mirrors that would go with that piece at my local Habitat ReStore. Sometimes at thrift stores too. You can also try local antique markets, the kind that has a lot of vendors in "stalls" under one roof. They might have a stray mirror that would work. Maybe consignment stores but usually they don't take pieces with no mates but you could put them on alert to let you now if someone shows up with just a mirror that would go with it. Be patient, a mirror will find its way to you one day.