Hi everyone! I am new to this forum and so happy I found you all! My name is Kim and I am located in the Greensboro/High Point area of NC. When I moved here from PA in 2014 I left my Iris behind, I was so sad but back then I had no idea really anything about them, I just knew I loved them. Bought my house here in January 2015 and the first time I saw it I recognized the still green foliage of the Iris all over the property.....Finally now that have time off from work I am creating my Iris beds and thinning the ones currently here and planting new. I read all about Thelma Boose and her Iris collection in the newspaper back in 2015, so I was excited yesterday to talk to her daughter Faye and finally be able to go get some beauties. Poor Faye has had a hard time the last 6 months or so and the gardens are very weedy but she is working so very hard. I left knowing I will be back in a couple weeks, maybe sooner. I cannot wait to add my new ladies to my garden this weekend. If anyone can help positively ID a few Iris for me that would be great, otherwise for one I'll have to wait until a plant I got from Thelma's blooms to match it and the other is a tough one it's old really old and I have it narrowed down to 2 possible. The photos are of the pretty ladies already here at my house which was built in 1974. Arctic Fancy is the one I know. I thought the next was Mystique but it looks like it could be Dialogue too (bought one yesterday so we will see) this white I have no clue it's very tall, and has a sweet smell with huge flowers, the last white one stumps me also looks like it might be Winter Carnival or Sharkskin, I thought maybe Gudrun but the falls on mine are longer and I am having a really hard time finding either of those 2 so I can compare, but based on the coloring of the style I am leaning towards Sharkskin.

I have been to Thelma's several times. It is really enjoyable to walk all the rows. Can't help you with the two you have no ID for because there are many that are so similar. I think you are right to knock out Gudren as a possibility as that bloom is far larger than Gundren's. to the forum. Always nice to have another NC representative.

Thank you! Until I moved here and started my research I had no idea that there were so many, or that they were all named lol. It added to the fascination and love I have for these plants. I am trying to learn all I can about them so mine will thrive and live long. One question I have is about rhizomes I have that were dug and stored. How do I start to bring them back? We were going to sell our house 2 years ago and I dug, clipped and cleaned a bunch of my Iris to take, they have been stored in a cool dry spot since and we are not going anywhere so I want to bring them back but am not sure how. Any help would be greatly appreciated

Welcome.

Welcome to the iris forum, Kim!

Do any roots remain on your stored rhizomes? If so, many people soak the roots in water for hours before planting, though I've not stored rhizomes for 2 years, so maybe others have more tips.

@BlueFlagFan Yes they all still have some roots attached. I thought I heard somewhere to put it in sand until it starts to take hold and green up....I don't want to do anything until I have a plan LOL

Welcome Kim, to the iris forums! Hope you find all you like...and a new iris virus will see to you shortly.

I need to get over to Thelma's gardens. I'd love a bunch of older historics.

@UndyingLight Hi Monty Thank you! I will certainly be going back in the next few weeks. The weeds have somewhat overtaken the gardens I was going to see about doing some weeding while there lol. I see you aren't too far away...I have some friends up that way. We bowled in a league at Sportlanes last summer. Faye is currently doing a bag special for $10 you get a bag with only 1 variety but a lot of rhizomes, she had more than a 1/2 dozen to pick from. I took one bag labeled Finale but from the associated picture it's Ben's Finale, there are 20 rhizomes in the bag. While I was there I also got:
Helen Collingwood
Distant Chimes
Runpunzel's Tower
Ocelot
Coffee Royal
Lady Friend
Dialogue
Jewel Tone
Cherry Glen
Smoke Rings
Stairway to Heaven
Galilean
Chasing Rainbows ....
There are a few more I would like to see lol

Kim

Kim ~ to the Iris Forum!

Is Thelma's still open for business? Even amid, Covid-19?

Because I may have to break a trip up to her gardens and buy irises!

to the iris forum, kim.

Thank you everyone!
@UndyingLight Yes Thelma's is open! I called first to make sure and Faye is out there everyday except Sunday (336)407-4805 she always has her phone out there with her. Of course she has to limit the number of people at one time, but when I was there Thursday I was by myself. I considered it a great outdoors time for fresh air and exercise.

Kim !!

Let's make a note here so Faye doesn't have to explain it to people coming to her place.

1) You make a list of the iris you are interested in, either by walking the field and writing down the name and lot number (careful, not all signs go with the iris you think, especially when it is overrun by weeds) OR there are books with picture name and lot #. If you have a doubt about a number you wrote down in the field check the books.

2) Faye takes the list and does the digging while you wait back up at the tent. You do NOT dig your own. And you don't get freebies/bonuses. She has them priced very fairly.

3) Faye does not take orders and ship them to you. It is in person sales only.

4) Weekends are the busiest times so be aware of social distancing.

5) Faye used to get help from her church and such with weeding but with Covid it is probably hard to get people to come out. If you do decide to help weed be very careful not to pull up the rhizomes with the weeds.

Thank you!
Beware it's easy to get carried away and end up with way more than you expected to be buying LOL I went for a "few" and ended up with 36 plants ....

Kim

@Lestv do you happen to have a list of all the Iris at Thelma's by chance? Thank you!

Does anyone have her address?

I plan to go down there to her gardens Friday and bring home some cultivars. I'll make sure to double check that she's open by calling on Friday.

to the Iris Forum, Kim!