according to the gardenshow dot com: "If you havenâÂÂt been to the show in a few years, our seminars are now held in the spacious state-of-the-art Conference Center. Our larger rooms mean everyone gets a seat to hear our acclaimed speakers,no waiting in line and no passes required! To find the seminars go across the skybridge, turn right onto any aisle and go to the back of North Hall. An escalator or elevator goes to the Rainier Room, Hood Room and the DIY Stage. The Book Signing Station is near all three rooms, along with restrooms. (Everything you need to stay for hours listening to our great lineup of speakers!) " See you there, quillfred :)

The May 2013 E-Newsletter from Plant Delights Nursery says: "The garden world was shaken to its core this month with the announcement that EnglandâÂÂs Chelsea Flower Show had agreed to temporarily rescind its long-time ban on garden gnomes for its 100 anniversary. This is the equivalent of US Open golfers being allowed to compete in Speedos and flip flopsâ¦it just doesnâÂÂt happen. Until now, gnomophobia ran rampant at Chelsea, where the only thing at Chelsea that was allowed to get in the way of the plants were the upturned noses of the UKâÂÂs gardening elite. Garden gnomes, as you may be aware, are the antithesis of everything Chelsea, since they are associated with the less tasteful gardens of the great unwashed lower class. Reportedly, many exhibitors enjoyed the relaxation of the gnome ban for a year, while others stayed as far away from the gnomes as possible. Even singer Elton John donated his famous pink rhinestone-studded sunglasses to adorn one of the gnomes auctioned for a garden education charity. Speaking of gnomes, you may not be aware that some experts on the subject think gnomes arenâÂÂt as meek and mild as they are often portrayed in the press. Author Chuck Sambuchino has actually written a book, How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attackâ¦IâÂÂm not making this up. If you start feeling a soft spot for gnomes and are thinking of including them in your garden, read this book first. Then, of course, there is the wonderfully educational Gnome Management in the Garden video thatâÂÂs also a must see from researchers at Utah State. Here is a link that might be useful: Gnome Management in the Garden video

You bought a nice assortment. I'm not familiar with Chicago weather or how he kept these iris before the show. Do your 3 iris outside look like these, foliage wise? Are the pots gallon size? Potted plants are expected to behave as if they are in a zone lower, zone 4 in your case. Not knowing if he grew these in a cold frame, especially if the foliage on your established ones does not show the same amount of growth as these potted ones, I would put them in a cool place by a window, putting them outside on sunny days (are you having any?) to adapt. When freezes are over I'd plant. Do not expect bloom this year. You may get some, but don't expect it. The dwarf (SDB), Forever Blue, blooms a month before the talls here in zone 9. Your 2 rebloomers would bloom after it (roughly 2 weeks later), in a normal year. Lastly the 3 regular talls (TB), about 2 weeks again. I think your bearded iris season begins in May ? and goes into June. Let the soil dry out before watering! If roots are coming out at the bottom repot into larger container. Do not fertilize these babies.

Iris are pretty tough. You could likely plant them anytime now as long as your soil is dry enough to dig in. As for flowers, you might get some depending on the size of the plants you got. tj