I probably won't have a clue what is lost until after bloom time. Even then, most of my rhizomes are new or were moved last year. Many may not bloom this year. Bonnie, I should have one Man's Best Friend. There will be extras eventually.

When I was out checking my irises today I found out that I had Lovely Senorita in a second location that I had forgotten about...so I didn't lose it. But I did notice that Cruise To Autumn is really struggling...I got it from the PNW sale and it never really took. If it survives it will be at least another year before it blooms. Oh well, I can't complain, I have been very lucky overall.

Thank you, Linnea. If I do not replace it this year I will remember your kind offer. Smiles. After the last few winters and all the water we are getting this spring - it is raining again today - I feel really glad that I have not lost more. I think it helps that the iris are in a fast growing stage right now. If they were just sitting in all this water it would not be good. Since we are getting our rain now I cant help but wonder what the summer will be like. We are at flood stage on the Fourche and the duck preserve is still full of water. I cant complain. It may cause a few problems but not the problems caused by the horrid drought.

Lucy, I hope you start getting a gradual thaw and your plants rejoice with abundant bloom and new growth. I think of you when I look out and see my spring bulbs blooming. Its your turn.

My little Dark Matter does not look like it is overjoyed being here. It is not a goner but it is not increasing either. I sure hope it becomes a bit more enthusiastic soon. I don't expect it to bloom this year.

Arlyn, I've got plenty of Crimson King if Jan doesn't have enough.

It's funny about Crimson King.....it's noted for being an extra good grower and almost bullit proof, but the plant I have ,....or HAD...was 3-4 years old, never bloomed, and always stugggled, and just never 'took off' . Irises on either side grow like gang-busters.....maybe I just had a 'bad' one .

Perhaps it was the wrong plant.

Thank you, Bonnie. the snowbanks along the road are melting in front of our wall (at least a little bit) so perhaps there is hope for the daffodils. The snow can still be there but the plants are snuggled up next to the wall.

That's something I have considered as well, Lucy!

Arlyn... It sounds like you did really well considering all the new ones you got last year I think I remember us Crowning the King Of Illinois most of my losses were from plants received late in the year that had not been through our winter yet and seedlings which I kind of expected, went into winter knowing not everything will be hardy but hopeful some of my favorite crosses would make it and they did. I was happy that everything that lived through last years winter looks great this spring as cold as it was here I think we did very good compared to last years disaster.

I'm glad to hear that, Brad.

I worry about some of the historic medians which didn't seem to be taking hold. John did add pine needles to their bed. Estimate over 18 of snow still above them. Plants which have been here awhile will probably be ok.

I worked in the beds all day ,yesterday.....weeding, spreading alfalfa meal, etc,. and I found LOTS of soft main rhizomes....the side increases seem firm ,and are showing some green, so, I'm betting that I don't have very much bloom this year !

That's great news Brad! Those photos of your dead iris field were heart breaking.

Oh no Arlyn! I hope you're wrong and they bloom your socks off.

Now that the "final" snow of the season has melted I did a quick check of the irises and found a few "missing" or appearing to have died off:
Euphony
Gracchus
Mrs. Neubronner, which unfortunately is not for sale anywhere I have found in a check of 50 growers/sellers.

It's sad when the rare ones are lost and you can't replace them.

Yes, it is sad. Sorry for your losses Dave.

It finally is somewhat nice outside to do yard work. I have to employ a 4x4 piece of plywood to stay dry. I some areas, I still have standing water next to the raised beds. I am happy to report that there are much fewer loses so far, but I still have a long ways to go to finish my Spring clean up. here are today's loses so far:

Superhero (lost the main bloom stalk, but increases in really good shape)
Boy Genius (lost the main bloom stalk, but increases in really good shape)
Downtown Brown (a complete goner!)

I have four plantings of Superhero and two of Boy Genius so I still expect to see them show off this Spring.

I have to add Superhero to my goner list, too !

Two more to add. Both are main rhizome fan "rot-off", but each have ample increases around to not be an issue. I also think I have more of both elsewhere in the yard.

Dorothy Davis
Golden Panther

Arlyn, of those you lost, how many have you seen grown in your area? The one that you've replaced a few times sounds like it just doesn't like the climate.

I am absolutely amazed. I figured you guys never lost any plants. I have gone through so many here but assumed it was just our climate. But I had two, Las Vegas and one other that grew one year, bloomed hugely the next year, were huge fans but no flowers the next year and rotted the following. Never moved them, never treated them any different from year to year. Drove me nuts. I have a few that need to be trimmed up. Batik, Fireplace Embers are two. They grew last year, second year after planting, but no flowers. Except Fireplace Embers which has bloomed two years even after being moved and has increased a lot. I really hope I have at last found a place in the garden they like. But if you guys have losses when nothing has visibly changed from year to year???