I noticed that Kerr's website is open for business now. He didn't make any new intro's this year though. (due to health reasons)

Yippee!!! Like I need another vendor open. I am waiting on two to open with my order already to go out and I have more ordered than I can handle.......... and I dream of more. lol

Lauer is open too.

Wishing Kerr good health!

On the other hand, I heard that "Iris On Parade" a "non-hybridizing" vendor in Kansas, has went out of business.

His Iris Garden is another; website disappeared and no answer to email query. Looked at their offerings last season.

I think that's sad. But when you think about what a lot of hard, physical work it is to grow and sell Irises -- it's not surprising. People get old. And tired. And discouraged when they deal with losses -- we just get disappointed, they get financially ruined.

Cynthia's iris Garden, in Arkansas , seems to have disappeared, as well ! I think "iris farming" has gotten a lot like "grain farming"......Get big, or Get out ! As you say, it's a LOT of work, and probably , for the hours spent, doesn't even make "minimum wage"for the owners !

I think that 'His Iris Garden' retired & moved further south.

His Iris Garden was owned by Dave and Loretta Hedrick. They lived nearby in Merced. They lost several family members and were getting older. They sold their home and moved, but I don't know where they went.

Cynthia's website is still up. I have sent her an email to check on her. No surprise when people get older or tired or discouraged and they close up shop. Dee did the "right" thing by offering her plants for a final closeout sale rather than just get rid of them.

Thanks for the other info.

Good to hear about Cynthia's !! I'll have to try again to reach her ! I wonder, did she create a new one, with a different web address?....or, is my computer screwing up again?...or is it pilot error ?.....anyway, thanks for the update !

Any links to Kerr, etc.? Not that I really need to order any more this year......

Here you go: http://rainbowacres2.homestead...

Website: http://www.cynthiasirisgarden....
She has had some family issues this past winter so maybe that slowed things down for a while. Her daughter usually updates the website, looks like it is only partially done as the "not available" ones have clickable order buttons in most cases. She is still in business; just got email.

Iris on Parade is not in business.