Fun idea! For a novice I would include some happy rebloomers:
Rosalie Figge (very strongly reblooming, in France it flowers at least four times each year)
St Petersburg (again, a strong rebloomer, three times in France, one rebloom in England)
Non-rebloomers would include
Champagne Waltz (breathtaking when planted against a dark green background, winner of Florence Iris Competition in 1997)
Astana (to-die-for colour, very vigorous and a useful colour)
Plus something mid blue, because it's a colour that blends beautifully almost anywhere. A couple of years ago I bought a load of marked-down Victoria Falls, which sometimes reblooms. Stunning en masse!
Stairway to Heaven
Something pink - loads of choice...
Something dramatic:
And something subtle:
And for something a little more adventurous, how about
Chasing Rainbows
Not enough - we still need something orange, a yellow self, a lilac, a copper.... hmm....
