Like some of you I am waiting for Schreiner's sale as I am on a budget right now as I just paid $1800 for a plane ticket to England in July.

Mary Ann is sending me Eagles Flight and Debra is also sending me some of hers she has to thin out.

Wow Vi, Lucky you, I'm sure you will enjoy your trip. You can always get some more irises next season.

well, Tom, I should not be too accurate as I have two more orders ready to finalize this week. If I counted each iris it may mean I had a problem or an addiction which I do not. repeat after me, I am in control, I can stop anytime, I am in control, I can stop anytime, I am in charge, I can order anytime, I am in charge, I can order everything, wait.... uh.... where's my catalog...

OK, I will count when I stop hyperventilating.

I bow down to all of you with the mega gardens! While I am thoroughly addicted, I now feel so much better about wanting more! The biggest challenge for me is going to be finding enough sunny spots for all the garden bed it sounds like I am destined to be digging. The very large willow oaks (stress on very) and the maples are having a large say in the matter.....
AND I would like to say the thread about where to buy iris is really not helping! I have already found I would like more than I care to mention !! Evil! Hahaha

Something to add to what Brett mentioned....Those of us who like the "older" iris have learned that if you see "the" iris, that special "one" that you have coveted...you better order it right now ! It might not be there next year ! Unlike the brand new intros, that are gonna' be a little cheaper (because more vendors are offering them for sale, is one reason for the decline in price),those "older" iris are liable to just be "gone"! Even though the "historic" iris are getting to be more "accepted" in the iris world, they are still way behind in the popularity poll, as far as numbers sold by vendors. So that's one of the "excuses" I use to justify my "insanity"! Another is that for all those years I was working , there wasn't enough "spare time" to go around ! But, now that "we" are retired, with all those hours (that used to be spent at work , going to work, coming home from work, yada ,yada, yada) available for the truly important things in life, we can indulge ourselves in our hobbies, and , between Rita and I, we have LOTS of hobbies . And, finally, I have reached the age where "waiting till next year" may be waiting just one year too long ! So, while I still have a little "health", a lot of time, and desire left to do it, I'm gonna' be the "iris vendor's best friend " !!....Arlyn

Too funny Bonnie, Your are in control of your lack of control. But you will find that it's such a relief when you just admit to the addiction and go with it. No sence stressing over it!

Some good excuses there Arlyn, I second them all!

Leslie -- I have an Iris bed under and around the base of a maple tree. Don't forget -- the Iris come up and bloom in the Spring, before the trees have leaves! So -- no problem at all. You will sacrifice prolific blooms and increases, but you'll still get both -- just slower. That's OK with me -- I still get to enjoy those varieties, and don't have a big workload associated with it!!

Arlyn -- I just like the way you think!!

Well Mary Ann that didn't work so well this year. I have leaves on the maple and no blooms yet in the bed around it. Guess this will be the slow road. Bonus is slower increase leaves more room for new additions???!!
And Arlyn - I know that "get it before it's gone" excuse. I already have some favorites that are not around to purchase again!

Sorry -- I didn't explain that well. The Irises awaken and grow their leaves before the trees leaf-out. The blooms come after the trees have leaves, but the Irises have gotten the sun they needed. Better? I'll take a picture today of my Maple Tree Bed!

And yes! Slower increases DOES leave more room for new additions!! Spoken like a true addict!!!

Tom I don't have a tally yet was just going to work on replacing what was lost this spring and get my seedlings in the ground but after visiting California the thinking changed quickly I found all sorts of new must haves. I am sure Oregon will only make it worse but here are some of the favorite's from California.
Star Turn & Heavenly Host


Cosmic Connection & Ice Planet


Flaming Lava & Fancy Ideas


Volcanic Glow & Zlatovlaska


Bottle Rocket & Jazz Pizzazz

Oh Leslie, Just get the chainsaw out and have at the trees. Maybe just one, This year. Or do like Arlyn did, and buy an empty lot and fill it with irises.

Hey Brad, Back from the land of Iris magic? Great minds think alike, lol, I already have Volcanic Glow, and Fancy Ideas, got them last year. I ordered Flaming Lava based on your picture in the data base the other day. I wish I had ordered Star Turn, but I guess there's always next year.

You will be going to Oregon soon, based on an e-mail from Keith, things are going fast there and it will be an early season this year.

Brad, every one of those is gorgeous, hard to pick from those but I do like Cosmic Connection.

Tom, thanks I'm sure I will have a good trip, it is about 20 years since I was back there. Everything will have changed and much more expensive.

Dwarf irises do very well, blooming BEFORE tree leaves are out. ☺ Even so, we had to move our plants out to the former pony pasture so they could have sun.

Bonnie

Arlyn

Vi, it will be great fun.

OOPS

Uh-oh. Brad posted photos again. RUH-ROHHH.

Oh.My.God. If I saw Star Turn blooming in my garden, I could die a happy woman.

And that's all I have to say about that.

I hope I can keep myself from sending an ammended order to Joe, I just did that with Keppel, as I saw some of Brad's pictures and had to have another one. Honestly, these guys should pay Brad to come and take pictures, as he makes them a lot of money! And give him free irises as well!

Just out of the idle-est curiousity -- where would one purchase Star Turn?