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Need help w/ black iris "real" colors. Anyone grow blacks?

8 years ago

I'm looking for black irises.

See, one of my cats is passing away. A big ole black cat. He's actually my coco noir cat, because he looks like delishious deep coffee or chocolate when he lays in the sun. A few years ago, we lost his companion, a very dainty white female. Over her grave is white irises, some touched with blue for her eyes.

So, now he is getting into what is likely his last summer, and now I'm on the hunt for black irises to plant over his grave when I bury him next to her.

I'm looking around in catalogs, I have started out with Schreiner's. But I don't know how accurate their photos are, and their color descriptions.. well they suck. Some say black, or purplish black, or black purple. That does not really tell me anything compared to some of the nice descriptions found elsewhere in the catalog. And with their prices being what they are, up to 40 bucks for one? Ack. I might be able to afford 1-3 of the cheaper ones or if these guys ever have a sale on them, but I can't really afford full price and need to plan ahead on this.

I want to know what colors these blacks really are. Anyone grow any black irises that can tell me if what I see in the catalog is accurate, or have more information about this color group?
Are there other iris sellers that have good blacks that aren't as expensive as Schreiner's?

Any suggestions and advice is appreciated :)

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Comments (5)

Nancy
8 years ago
I can only show you pics of black iris I have. I don't think Photobucket works with houzz, but perhaps you can follow the links? Lighting affects how they look though.

Diabolique-purple shows more in brighter light

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/NGraham/media/iris/100_4328.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/NGraham/iris/100_4328.jpg"; border="0" alt="Diabolique photo 100_4328.jpg"/></a>

Here Comes the Night

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/NGraham/media/iris/P1020759_zps32355bed.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/NGraham/iris/P1020759_zps32355bed.jpg"; border="0" alt="Here Comes the Night photo P1020759_zps32355bed.jpg"/></a>

Raven Girl

<a href="http://s18.photobucket.com/user/NGraham/media/iris/P1020793_zpsc3d18487.jpg.html"; target="_blank"><img src="http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/NGraham/iris/P1020793_zpsc3d18487.jpg"; border="0" alt="Raven Girl photo P1020793_zpsc3d18487.jpg"/></a>

Send me a message if you can't view these & I'll figure it out. I have a couple of others, but I think these are very black.
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Nancy
8 years ago
I meant to add, although I have never bought from them, I know that Blue J iris has much cheaper plants. I think lots of people here have bought from them & been pleased, but they are smaller plants than what you would get from Schreiners.
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User
8 years ago
Get over to BlueJ's for better prices and big selection. Click on black in the Colors box.

http://www.bluejiris.com/A.htm

Here's an old thread I found by googling GARDEN WEB BLACK IRIS.

http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1990965/best-black-tall-bearded-iris
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jen_frazier
8 years ago
I have ordered from Blue J Iris and been pleased. I also have 5 "black" iris that I grow in my yard that are all really dark but I have never seen a true black iris. If you are interested in the names of what I grow I can get them for you.
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Jane
8 years ago
Mine were purple.
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