And no I don't mean winning the National Championship in college basketball. I mean that time that causes all iris lovers' hearts to race, causes one to pick up binoculars to search out growth, then run out as soon as possible to take pictures! Why? Because the most wonderful time is bloom time!

My first buds are popping out on the SDB's. Early this year, but we have had crazy weather. These are all maiden blooms.

Inner Space. You can see the frost damage in the folded leaves. This has really affected some of the TB's.



A bad picture of Yummy Accent's bud:



Gizmo The Gremlin is in bud:



And finally, Awake, which should be opening tomorrow:

You'll have color everywhere before you know it.

Amazing. I am just now getting a little growth in the fan leaves.

bloom time is still several weeks away. Later than usual.

But it is fast approaching, Lucy. I had 20 more irises bloom today. All SDB's and two MDB's. I had a garden tour after the rain stopped and a photographer here for several hours this evening.... until he lost the light (I really think it was the mosquitoes). I took photos this morning in the rain but they turned out so blurry that I will retake and post them tomorrow. This has been a great fun day. I cant wait to see your iris photos Leslie. yippee!!!!!

My dwarfs especially have had a massive amount of growth in the last two weeks. Unfortunately, we are having above average temps now so I am worried about the development of the tall bearded. And those folded leaves from frost? Well there are a couple TB's that have it where the bloomstalk is trying to grow. I have no idea if the blooms can break through the leaves but I sure hope so!!!
But enough of that! This thread will celebrate the blooms regardless of how un-normal they may be!

Good morning, I'm Awake (Blyth):

Perfect!

More awaited me when I got home!

Almost ready - Gizmo The Gremlin in bud:



Yummy Accent opened, and it also has a yummy fragrance!!! (Thanks again Tom!)



and pretty beards

Also, some more (& better) pics of Awake:

Ready for it's closeup



More true to color than the earlier pic:

I love that baby more with every pic!

I love them all!

Just beautiful, Leslie!!

Gizmo The Gremlin and Alladdin's Flame were just starting to open when I left for work. Hope to get pictures before we get more rain. The thunderstorms last night beat up Awake and Yummy Accent a bit. I have lots of other buds getting ready to pop but hope they hold out until the weekend since we are suppose to have severe weather on Friday. (Please Mother Nature....)

I got awake last year from our local iris sale. Glad I did.

I should say! It's beautiful!!!

Like most Blyth iris...

Can't wait until Guise opens! Another Blyth with interesting coloring.

Good Pictures Leslie !!! I like Awake

Thanks Brad. Awake is really striking. Big bloom and really holds it's color.

It is only day two of blooms and there are already problems in Irisville!

First, I planted SDB Muggles next to IB Dumbledore (because Dumbledore was a protector of muggles). In the pic you will see Muggles on the left and Dumbledore on the right. Hmmmm. Same height. Same growth of buds. Either Dumbledore shrunk or I have a lot of Muggles! I am hoping the second Grendelwald I planted is actually a Dumbledore.



The plus side is there are tons of bloom stalks!