Every once in a while I get a bonus iris that I'm not too excited about based on pictures, and then when it blooms it blows me away. This has happened a few times. I usually end up planting them off in some corner some place, thinking it's one that I might not keep. I later have to move them to a more prominent place. Has this happened to you?

Sharp Dressed Man was one of these happy surprises.


Not only is it beautiful, but has a great fragrance too!

Show us some of your surprises.

That is a nice bonus Tom. I have been given bonuses that I have been really happy to get for the most part. But there are a couple that exceeded my expectations...

Magheralin was one of those happy surprises for me, Tom. Dee sent it several years ago as a bonus on an order. I looked it up and thought *ho hum, another purple*. But WOWSA -- when that baby bloomed, I fell in love with it. The blooms are large and ruffled and beautiful!!!!

And it's not purple -- it's a deep blue!!

I often order only dwarfs and indicate that if a bonus is offered that it be an extra of one I ordered because I have their other dwarfs. Then I receive a different class of iris. It is like they think if I try a larger iris I will like it. LOL I do sometimes get one I really like.

Peewee is a little MTB that was a bonus and I love it. It has not grown much but its blooms are just a treat.

Nice ones, isn't it a great thing when you think it's not going to be anything special and it is?

Because most of my Iris are new to the garden, many have not yet bloomed for me, but there is one bonus I was ho-hum about...until it bloomed. Posted it elsewhere, but worthy of repeat.

Cotillion Gown. Came from Keith Keppel.

I got that one as a bonus too, but it hasn't bloomed yet. Had a bit of a rot problem last year. I added another rhizome from a trade this year, so I'm hoping to see it next year.

I love that one, Deb!!

Mary Ann, your name is/has been at the top of the share list on CG. Should have one to send you next year.

Tom, if those don't do well for you, let me know.

I wasn't real keen on Change In The Weather when I got it as a bonus, but it makes a beautiful clump!

lovemyhouse said:Mary Ann, your name is/has been at the top of the share list on CG. Should have one to send you next year.

I'm so glad, Deb -- I have it on my Want List with a note that you may send me a rhizome.

I was quite taken with 'Brimmed Red Amo' that I got from Superstition a couple of years ago. It doesn't have the substance of the moderns, but there was a delicacy that charmed me.. And look how great it looks with the yellow behind it!

Another one of the bonuses that surprised me was Style Traveler. I just wasn't impressed by the picture in the catalog, but boy do I love this one.

And off I went to my database -- and there she is!!!

I ordered Pewee (that's how it is spelled for some reason) & hope it blooms next year. You could order 5 historic dwarfs & medians & they sent me the 5 subs that I listed. I think they were out of the ground & no one else wanted them. So they are in a bed that I meant for getting my MDBs out of the shade. Poor things are still there.

Superstition's 2014 bonus was 'One Step Beyond', and this was it's first Spring in the ground. I'm looking forward to seeing what it does down the line. The colors are really rich and velvety.

Pewee is a sweet little iris, Lucy . You'll like it, I'm sure

Oooh, 'Storm Rider'...

They're doing some great work getting smokey reds at Superstition. I saw some beautiful seedlings up there this past Spring.. They always send me bonuses/gifts that I'm thrilled to have.

I agree, Sherry. I like everything about Superstition and their bonuses are often better than the ones I ordered. I already have a tentative order for them next spring. smiles