I think Wintry Sky has the darkest top.

Walter Moores

I've never grown these. Without your climate zone input may be meaningless. What does well in one area may sulk in another.

However I have read very good reports on "Alpenview". This is what an experienced iris grower has to say. I linked to her photo since her images are quite accurate.

[This image was added by Margiempv on Jan 28, 2007 10:00 PM
"Another view of ALPENVIEW. Great branching, lovely form, good growth and increases. "]

The same hybridizer (Keppel) also introduced "Crowned Heads" about 6 years before "Alpenview". I was awestruck by "Crowned Heads". Totally gorgeous deep color in the standards and wonderful contrast. But I have heard it does not perform well in all parts of the country.

The other 2 I've not read about. Dave's Garden may have photos of them as well.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/139626/

Here's the link to "Wintry Sky", also by Keppel and introduced the same year as "Alpenview". (according to the posters at Dave's Garden)

Photos of "Crowned Heads" are on page 35 of the C's.

Here is a link that might be useful: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/103761/

I'm hooked on this color combo!

What do you know?! "Ripple Effect" is also by Keppel and listed as the same year as your 2 other choices!

I sure love the photos of "Ripple Effect"!!!

Here is a link that might be useful: http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/110907/

Thanks guys,
I saw all these pictures and some others before I placed my order. I also tried to do some research. My first choice was 'Alpenview' because of the comment Iris_gal quoted and the parentage (2 Dykes Medalists Crowned Heads X Fogbound). 'Crowned Heads' was in my order as well, but it was substituted with 'Ripple Effect'.
I think I read somewhere that 'Wintry Sky' is more purple than blue (compared to 'Alpenview').
I also will get 'Royal Sterling', 'Fogbound' and 'Silverado'. They all are in the same color scheme. Oh my, that is so hard to choose... I'll try to find at least a temporary place for all of them and see how they will perform for me... Otherwise, I'll stick with my first choice: 'Alpenview'. What do you think?
I am in zone 6/7, Maryland.

Alina.

You seem to like dark tops. It is too bad you didn't get Crowned Heads. It is a dramatic contrast. Fogbound is tough as nails in our area and almost weedy in increase. It isn't as dramatic as Crowned Heads but is a very dependable bloomer. I didn't ever grow Alpenview or Ripple Effect since I have too many dark tops in my garden anyway. They are both gorgeous, and dramatic. In my opinion, Royal Sterling is the least like the others. It is one I have almost gotten several years in a row. It grew very well in Keppel's garden and everywhere else I saw it. Very royal looking. In recent years I have gone more the Undercurrent-Parisian Dawn direction.

Thanks Gmason,
I am not into dark tops only. I just wanted to plant a bed with different shades and patterns of blue, so I ordered all kinds of blue Irises: from the lightest 'Silverado' to blue/black 'Ozark Rebounder'. Besides varieties I already mentioned, I ordered 'Miah Jane' (looks like 'Sea Power') and 'Fatal Attraction' for this bed. It seems that 'Crowned Heads' is distinctive enough to order it from some other vendor. I am so glad you like 'Royal Sterling'. It is a little expensive, so I was reluctant to order it.
I love the look of 'Undercurrent'! It is on my list.

Thanks everyone! Your comments mean a lot to me. Pictures are deceiving sometimes, so I am glad you confirmed my first impression of 'Crowned Heads' and 'Royal Sterling'.

Alina.

I love the looks of "Crowned Heads", too, but it has been one of my poorest growers here in Southwest Indiana. I even moved it to one of my best spots, but it just doesn't increas much for me. "In Reverse" isn't as dramatic a color contrast, but it grows like gangbusters for me, as does one of my dark top Noids.
Shae