I feel like this is a really dumb question I have about the bloom time of individual iris. Seems like generally the SDB iris start blooming first, and often intermediate soon after. On the database when it says that a SDB bloom time is ML, is that mid late for SDB varieties as I assume, or does that take into account tall bearded too.

I have had this question too. You're generally right about bloom times based on size. MDBs come intermixed with SDBs (as far as I know), then come IBs and then MTBs while BB and TBs bloom at the same time.

I feel like a M-L or a very early on a SDB iris does not mean very early in the TB bloom season, or very late. Who knows?

For the "M" , (or whatever) designation, that means ....'for it's class'. So, an SDB that's "M",would bloom in the middle area of all the SDB's. It IS a bit confusing , or can be! MDB's bloom 1st, then SDB's, followed by the IB's, MTB's usually open with the later IB's , and the BB's, and TB's bloom together. That said, in certain climates / conditions The "blooming order" of the classes *may* not always "follow suit", because some classes don't do as well in some areas.
And those bloom-time designations were put there by the hybridizer, according to what he / she saw in THEIR garden....which may...or may nor...reflect what happens in YOUR garden. All -in -all, it's just a "guide," and not an exact "date".

Thank you for confirming. I had read an article in a local paper that seemed to suggest otherwise, but it was worded rather oddly. Just wanted confirmation, since I have been very wrong before in my assumptions

Arlyn!

May is iris' blooming time:

They look beautiful

Just beautiful.

tantefrancine said:May is iris' blooming time:

Do you know their names? They are very pretty!

Very pretty indeed!

THANK YOU ALL for the Thumbs-ups---I was away from my laptop all week-end, and I have a hard time typing on my cell phone--I really appreciate them. Unfortunately I do not know the names. I hope I can find their names, I will look for the markers, buried in the thick Sedum covering my whole yard. I will find out and when I find out, I will post them.

The second one looks like Louisa's Song