Wonderful, Sue!

Sue: Wow, that Secret Service has my name on it! My mouth literally dropped when I saw it.

Omigosh Sue -- those are drop-dead gorgeous blooms!!!!! I agree with Angie -- *Secret Service* is to die for. Are the falls as nearly black as they look? Also -- where did you get *Strozzipratti* (sp?)??? That has a spot waiting for it right here in western Kentucky!! And *Entangled* can park its rhizomes under my eaves any old time!!

Strozzapreti -- had to go back and check.

Oh -- and I also have *Decadence* -- that is one gorgeous Iris!!

Yes Angie, with the overcast morning, the colors were deep, since that is my first ever bloom on Secret Service don't know

Mary Ann, I got Strozzapreti from Blue Jay Iris last summer.

Beautiful Iris. I think I need to finally add some new ones.
They have most definitely improved over the years. And,
I am making a list of some of the ones that I see here. I will
check all the threads to see who are the most respected
vendors.

Sue, fantastic blooms -- and incredible pictures of them! I have so many pictures that I haven't had time to post, and every day now there are so many new ones. No time! Yikes!!!

A bit drizzly this morning, a couple more new blooms opened.

Rhythm from yesterday


Praetorian Guard, this one is super tall, I have to move it further back in the bed later.


Secret Rites (Thanks Betty! Love it!)

Ooooh, that Secret Rites is gorgeous.

I got Strozzapreti from Dee. She sent a large division, and I see she carries it this year for 5.00. It is absolutely lovely. It's listed under the Bianco irises.

WOW!

I ordered it from her, Betty! Also *Terra Del Fuoco*!!

We're getting ready to leave for a week in another few days, and of course I'm running way behind! But I did want to post some pictures of irises blooming in my garden for the first time, some of them 2011 introductions.

FRENCH LAVENDER - Painter, 2011


DODGER BLUE - Schreiner's


PALACE SYMPHONY - Blyth


INTO THE BLUE - Schreiner's



SAMBA QUEEN - Blyth


SUMMER SHADOW - Keppel, 2011 - This is one beautiful iris!


COLD CREEK - Sutton, 2011


HOLLYWOOD LIGHTS - T. Johnson, 2011 - Fantastic colors!


HOMEBODY - T. Johnson, 2011 - I love this one, especially those great beards!



DAZZLE - Ghio, 2011 - Another favorite!

LEADING LIGHT


TWIN CITIES - Sutton, 2011


ORANGE TOFFEE - Sutton, 2011


SMOKY SHADOWS - Tasco


WINTRY SKY - Keppel


POSTER GIRL - Blyth


SPRING MADNESS - T. Johnson


BOLD MOVE - Sutton


SOTTOBOSCO - Bianco


BALLERINA PINK - Border Bearded, P. Black


HERE WE GO - Intermediate, P. Black

Oops -- Forgot ENGAGEMENT RING - Ghio, 2011

So very nice! If you are gone for a week, you might miss some bloom! I have two TB's ready to open, but the temps have been so cold, they are just holding. Hope they open today, it's supposed to be sunny here. I have twin cities too, not sure if it will bloom this year.

Betty, seeing your photos was definitely worth the wait! They are soooo beautiful as always. It was nice to see you have some that I ordered this year and I also added a couple to next year's list, especially Hollywood Lights, Dazzle and Engagement Ring. Do you by any chance have Hysteria by Blyth?

Just drop-dead gorgeous Betty. I don't know how you can bear to leave -- with Irises blooming -- especially Irises like those!!!!!!!! *Palace Symphony* and *French Lavender* blow me away.

Love French Lavender and Hollywood Lights. You wonder how irises can get better, then you see the new intros each year, and they're better and better all the time. Not that I don't love the older ones too.

Beautiful Betty! I love enlarging each one and seeing all the details, makes me feel like I am right in front of them!