Orinoco Flow performs consistently for me and makes such a fine clump. I've had several irises, though, that are amazingly beautiful, but ungainly garden subjects. I'm looking for irises like OF, that are dependable and make a graceful garden presence - not necessarily the largest or most spectacular blooms. A long bloom time would be greatly appreciated, and good disease-resistant foliage is a must.

Could the forum recommend some varieties for me to try?

for older irises try & find Superstition. The iris society of Massachusetts will try & have its sale in concord MA. next year. If we can pull it off that will help you. Many of the plants from Mid-America & Winterberry gardens grow well here. We have them at our auction very often. I am saying that because of your location. I wish we were still having meetings, but the virus is stopping them. We have had R.I. members before. Bur try Iris of Society of Mass. website. (ISM)

What grows well for me in California, may not perform the same for you, but 'Stairway to Heaven' is one that is a monster performer not only for me, but is often mentioned by others as well.

Others that have performed consistently..
Oh Carol
Secret Recipe
Back on stage
Festive Skirt
Master Touch
Autumn Explosion
Mango Queen
Lacy Snowflake
Parvin's Pinot
Plum Pretty Whiskers
Stop the Traffic
Florentine Silk
Midnight Toccata
Queen's Circle
Light Shine
and there are many more...

Stairway to Heaven is good in New England also.

Queens Circle, Stairway to Heaven,and Florentine Silk on Sherry's list have done very well here in Kentucky.
There are many others as well.
Parisian Dawn ,Dancing Spree, Rio Rojo,Care to Dance, Tuscan Summer,Temporal Anomaly,Table for Two

Oh Carol bloomed here the first year and died.

I love the Iris pallida 'Variegata' and Variegated Sweet Iris I do not see it posted much in iris forums but it is my favorite for a mix garden. It adds to the garden from Spring to winter. The leaves are so pretty and the sweet iris fragrant flower wafts across the garden.

So far here its:
Absolute Treasure
Beverly Sills
Dusky Challenger
Queen's Circle
and what I think is Bubbling Over

I have high hopes for some newer iris, but they just haven't had time to develop yet.

And I like these siberians:

White Swirl
Shirley Pope
Strawberry Fair
Over in Gloryland
Ceasar's Brother

The foliage on the siberians stays straight up and lovely all summer long. So, it makes a really nice backdrop for the other iris.

Thank you all so much for the recommendations. Here is a picture of Orinoco Flow that shows why I love this in the garden so much. Seems like whatever happens with the weather, it always makes a clump like this. I guess my question can be rephrased as: What irises make the best clump in your garden!

@Tienito, Every Iris I have planted increase to a clump. Have you looked at the variegated ones I suggested. I love them so much because of the long season interest. They clump like all iris and you have some interest after the flowers are gone,

I planted Beverly Sills in front of the white and green variegated iris. Beverly Sills blooms earlier, the pink was pretty against the white and green leaves, then later the variegated bloom extending my bloom time.

https://www.gardenia.net/plant...

Yellow Green variegated
https://www.monrovia.com/plant...

My never fail irises here in Kentucky are:
Sultry Mood
Rosalie Figge
Wedding Belles
Stellar Lights
Yaquina Blue
Mary Frances
Royal Birth
I Feel Lucky
Persian Berry

Cinta said:@Tienito, Every Iris I have planted increase to a clump. Have you looked at the variegated ones I suggested. I love them so much because of the long season interest. They clump like all iris and you have some interest after the flowers are gone,

Thank you, Cinta. I will check those out. I'm probably going to take out a spuria iris that's not doing anything. That could be a good spot for a variegata!

Tienito said:

Thank you, Cinta. I will check those out. I'm probably going to take out a spuria iris that's not doing anything. That could be a good spot for a variegata!

I think you will like it. I always look for colorful foliage to have color in my gardens in between flowers especially late in the summer when most perennials are done flowering. I saw the white and green at Lowes a couple weeks ago. You might be able to pick it up there.

Neon Blue always makes a lovely clump for me. I don't know how it performs in your weather zone.

Robin, that is a breathtaking clump! Thank you so much!

That gives me clump envy!

Neon Blue doesn't seem to be available in the U.S., unfortunately. I was so hoping to add it to a cart!

oh darn.

Sorry Tienito. I wish I could send you some.