I used to have bearded Iris that were over 50 years old if not older. They came with this house when my parents bought it and we moved in before I was 10 years old. Since I am 62 thats many years ago. I moved back into this house I grew up in after my mom passed away at the ripe old age of 93. Anyway, those Iris, which never got any care whatever, are gone because of my garden renovations. Before I got the daylily crazies I did buy more newer bearded Iris but they all died out within two years. Now I realize its because I mulch heavily and they must have rotted because the iris tuber was burried under mulch instead of sticking up the way they need to do. I am still thinking on the small long narrow garden section way in the front yard. I can go with the original staggered plan, or just go with a row of entirely bearded iris along the front. I have learned that mass plantings have the best effect. For instance, I had bulb lilies here for years but last spring put in way over 300 new ones. Almost all are in two mass plantings of a trench of 165 and another of 185 lilies planted close together. The effect was dazzelling in bloom. Originally I thought I had to stagger them because when the iris were not in bloom there would be no color and its the garden right off the sidewalk by the street so it needs to look good. But with the planter directly behind it all planted in daylilies, there should be plenty of summer color and the roses bloom on and off plenty too. So I do not think lack of blooms would not be a problem. I can always plant spring bulbs and get plenty of daffs and tulips along with the iris so earlier spring should bring plenty of color to bring it into bearded iris time. Plus I have groused about not having the perfect place for bearded iris because of the heavily mulched beds. A more perfect spot could not be found. So its up in the air, I am thinking about which way to go.

I have no problem with taking bulbs from abandoned homesteads (or even empty houses) as long as you don't take so many as to destroy the beds...or from along the road or vacant fields. Again as long as you don't create a mess...but I am superstitous about cemetaries...I dont' believe in ghosts but I am not studyin' encouraging anyone to come lookin' for something if ya know what I mean..but thats me! and since I finally have my own home, I fully intend to spend some time this spring cruising the back roads here in East Texas looking for pretty things for my yard!

About 20 years or so ago I had dozens of iris from Schreiner's. I'd pour over the catalog for hours on end trying to pick wisely so I could add more to our iris bed. My son is now 34 but when I started he was much younger; he went out each spring to check the iris to see if his favorites were about to bloom. I do not remember the names of his favorites but one smelled like grape bubble gum and the other had a ruffled edge...want to think it was Crinkled Joy? It hurt so bad when we moved from that home. The people who bought our house were not into gardening so I expect all the iris died. Through the years I had given a good many to my mother-in-law but our area has been in a drought for some time and appears all of hers were lost or someone helped themselves while she was in the rest home...reported by one neighbor. So looks like if I have iris beds again, I will be starting over but we have so little water right now. I visited Schreiner's website this evening and ordered a catalog, at least I can look and dream ;)

I'm so envious. I can't imagine having so many Irises in your garden. How wonderful for you. I look out the window, and all I see is SNOW. I'm so bummed out right now about this. I have all these Irise rhizomes coming in the mail, and can't plant them. I haven't prepared the Iris bed for them yet. I have to get to Home Depot tomorrow for more Garden soil, bone meal, and a garden rake. I have a Louisiana iris rhizome sitting in a pot of water right now. This is ridiculous! Take pictures, I want to see your Iris !! Patrick