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Jun 10, 2018 2:12 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
I am wondering which cultivars bloom the best in your garden. I have had some that don't seem to bloom every year Angry
I am wanting to add some new ones but would like to avoid those that are less reliable.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
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Jun 10, 2018 3:58 AM CST
Name: Tom
Southern Wisconsin (Zone 5b)
Butterflies Vegetable Grower Keeper of Poultry Irises Keeps Horses Dog Lover
Daylilies Cat Lover Region: Wisconsin Celebrating Gardening: 2015
I noticed that this year some irises had very few buds, 3 or 4, compared to other years when they had 7 or 8. I think it was weather related. Some that had exceptional bloom count this year (and other years too) were Parisian Dawn, Gambling Man, High Desert, Picture Book, Reckless Abandon, Soul Mate, Ink Patterns, Champagne and Strawberries, Dorothy Devenport, I'm sure there are more, but these come into mind. Little "Gingerbread Man" is still blooming! What a trooper! Lucy's little Elfin Shadows is another small one that keeps on blooming if you're looking for some small ones.
Politicians are like diapers, they need to be changed often, and for the same reason.
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Jun 10, 2018 12:36 PM CST
Name: Evelyn
Sierra foothills, Northern CA (Zone 8a)
Irises Region: Ukraine Garden Procrastinator Bee Lover Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader
Region: California Cat Lover Deer Bulbs Foliage Fan Annuals
As most of my irises are new, I can tell you of a few, even though only planted last year, had a long bloom time. I am not saying, however, that they were well-branched, or had 7 or 8 buds...maybe next year. Golden Panther has several flowers per stalk, but does not bloom over a long period of time. (It could be because it is blooming in part shade.)

The exception to that last statement was Thornbird. But the reason might be that what was sent to me was a very large rhizome with several increases. It was a huge clump and bloomed over a long period of time. Many people on this forum have reported that this iris is vigorous in many areas of the country. Still, it did not have 7 or 8 buds per stalk, maybe next year.

Thornbird May 22 - June 3
Samurai Warrior May 12 - May 29
Picture Bouquet May 13 - June 4
Pink Unicorn May 18 - June 7
Awesome Alex May 24 - June 6
Trillion May 23 - June 3

These bloomed early to late.

Of the ones I have that are well-established,
I have two that bloom every year and are long-blooming:

Beverly Sills May 18 - June 4
Harvest of Memories May 19 - June 2

These are all well-branched, but since they are in part shade, not 7 or 8 blooms per stalk, usually just 3 or 4.

I had to look at my photographic records, and I will have to amend, in some cases, my paper records. (It is handy to have a smartphone. I haven't used my camera for quite a while.)

Edited to add Chasing Rainbows. It just started blooming on May 29th. It has huge, substantial blooms, and 4 buds per socket. The stalks are thick and sturdy. I am going to have to move it to the top of my list! Here is a picture that I just took.
"Luck favors the prepared mind." - Thomas Jefferson
Last edited by evelyninthegarden Jun 11, 2018 2:32 PM Icon for preview
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Jun 10, 2018 8:42 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thank you for the info. I can not wait until more of my iris clump up.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
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Jun 11, 2018 4:13 PM CST
Name: Robin
Melbourne, Australia (Zone 10b)
Region: Australia Garden Photography Cat Lover Irises Seed Starter
In regard to prolific blooming every year:
Anything Goes
Dark Passion
Going My Way
Hell's Fire
Ibiza
Momentum
Neon Blue
Stygian Night
Thunderstick

In regard to bud count and branching, I haven't paid much attention to that. Absolute Treasure has nice branching with 4 or 5 blooms out at once.
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Jun 12, 2018 8:37 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thanks, Robin
A friend gave me Absolute Treasure, after my mom passed away last year. It is new and I didn't get to see it bloom this Spring but it is a large healthy rhizome.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
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Jun 13, 2018 10:41 AM CST
Name: Evelyn
Sierra foothills, Northern CA (Zone 8a)
Irises Region: Ukraine Garden Procrastinator Bee Lover Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader
Region: California Cat Lover Deer Bulbs Foliage Fan Annuals
Teresa ~ I am so sorry for your loss. Group hug
"Luck favors the prepared mind." - Thomas Jefferson
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Jun 14, 2018 1:21 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thank you, Evelyn. I help care for her the last 5 years and she was and absolute treasure! I miss her everyday. Mom instilled in me the love of flowers.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
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Jun 14, 2018 9:59 AM CST
Name: Jan Wax
Mendocino County, N. CA (Zone 9a)
I'm a semi-retired studio potter.
Irises Hummingbirder Hellebores Organic Gardener Dog Lover Daylilies
Region: Ukraine Region: California Dahlias Garden Art Cat Lover Vegetable Grower
It's hard to lose a parent. Sorry for your loss, Teresa. Sounds like you have
good memories of life with her, and that's a blessing.
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Jun 14, 2018 10:56 AM CST
Name: Mary
Tennessee (Zone 7a)
Bee Lover Peonies Native Plants and Wildflowers Irises Keeps Goats Dog Lover
Daylilies Composter Cat Lover Bulbs Butterflies Keeper of Poultry
So sorry for your loss Teresa. Group hug
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Jun 14, 2018 11:27 AM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thank you, I am hoping to make a memorial garden at our local park. I think it would be nice to have a pretty place to set and relax and remember those that have passed on, our loved ones and also our service men.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
Avatar for crowrita1
Jun 14, 2018 2:30 PM CST
Name: Arlyn
Whiteside County, Illinois (Zone 5a)
Beekeeper Region: Illinois Irises Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Group hug
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Jun 14, 2018 7:51 PM CST
Name: Barbara
Northern CA (Zone 9a)
Region: California Cat Lover Dog Lover Irises Enjoys or suffers hot summers
Group hug I too am so sorry for your loss, Teresa. Group hug
• “Whoever said, ‘Do something right and you won’t have to do it again’ never weeded a garden.” – Anonymous
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Jun 15, 2018 2:56 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thank you, this is a nice group. I appreciate the kindness. We have all suffered some types of loss.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
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Jun 16, 2018 9:05 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Teresa Felty Barrow
South central KY (Zone 6b)
SONGBIRD GARDENS
Birds Hummingbirder Hybridizer Irises Lilies Peonies
Sempervivums Plant and/or Seed Trader Region: United States of America Vegetable Grower Hostas Heucheras
Thank you, I am hoping to make a memorial garden at our local park. I think it would be nice to have a pretty place to set and relax and remember those that have passed on, our loved ones and also our service men.
Bee Kind, make the world a better place.
Avatar for MarJoe
May 18, 2020 2:34 PM CST

I am interested in bloom time, number of stalks/buds, buds per socket also. It seems many awards are given to the Pretty or Large or New flowers. I am interested in performance. My WmASetchell bloomed over a 2 week period. The 3-4 yr clump had 9 stems. Same for Great Lakes and Scoonchee. Immortality was lovely, earlier than the others mantioned. I am in high desert AZ 7b and do not water established plants. Other very good performers were Pagan Pink, Beverly Sills, and Fancyancy. Scoonchee is my absolute favorite and wish hybridizers would use it. I find no child plants.
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May 18, 2020 4:17 PM CST
Name: Robin
Melbourne, Australia (Zone 10b)
Region: Australia Garden Photography Cat Lover Irises Seed Starter
Welcome! to the iris forum MarJoe Hurray!
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May 18, 2020 4:42 PM CST
Name: Evelyn
Sierra foothills, Northern CA (Zone 8a)
Irises Region: Ukraine Garden Procrastinator Bee Lover Butterflies Plant and/or Seed Trader
Region: California Cat Lover Deer Bulbs Foliage Fan Annuals
MarJoe ~ Welcome! to the Iris Forum! Hurray!

I'm sure some members will be able to give you some answers.
"Luck favors the prepared mind." - Thomas Jefferson
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May 18, 2020 4:43 PM CST
Name: Laurie
southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b)
Irises Butterflies Bee Lover Bulbs Cat Lover Region: Nebraska
Photo Contest Winner 2023
Welcome! MarJo!
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May 18, 2020 4:53 PM CST
Name: daphne
san diego county, ca (Zone 10a)
Vermiculture Million Pollinator Garden Challenge
Welcome! marjoe
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