Lucy, which TB of similar coloration would you recommend instead of Princess Caroline?

Others here, feel free to weigh in on this question, too.

Have to think about that.

Suggest that you might try Paul Black (Tom Johnson hybridizer). I don't have it, but it has done well in our area.

I have Paul Black and it's beautiful, but it's not in the same sky blue color category of Princess Caroline de Monaco. And, for what it's worth, I find Paul black to be a reluctant bloomer as well as a slow grower. It may be that it needs more sun than it currently gets. If I had more strength, I'd dig a new garden where certain reluctant bloomers would be moved, to give them more sun. But my days of sod-breaking and rototilling are over.

Daisy - I assume you want a light blue self? Does beard color matter? If not there is Blue Skippers by Donald Spoon (Winterberry). Is Absolute Treasure to light? Schreiners has made many a light blue over the years too. Blyth's Cool Charlotte is nice (too ruffled for you?).

I don't grow many TBs; more medians. Can only remark on what h appens with club members in our area. With the pandemic, of course have not been visiting the other members gardens.

Leslie, I have absolute Treasure, and it's a wonderful blend of light sky blue and white. One of my top favorites, possibly my most favorite. But I was entranced by photos of Caroline de Monaco. It's a Cayeux iris and i gather it has not been well distributed in the U.S.

Lucy is in Massachusetts. Perhaps it doesn't thrive well that far north. Does anyone in the mid-Atlantic area have it, and if so, does it perform better there?

We had a prior discusdion in which CdM was compared with Sky and Sun, and one person said that of those two, CdM was much, much prettier.

And, leslie, yes, beard color matters. CdM is pretty unique for a TB having a light sky blue self, combined with a red-orange beard. Querying these attributes in the database brings up a very few others besides CdM, however none of the others have pictures in the database.

Here are a few more Iris that will be new to me blooming either this year or next, I am hoping and praying for this year.












This pretty much covers all my new Iris. There maybe be some planted to 2020 that I have not seen bloom yet. I am so anxious for spring, I can hardly stand it.

About 1 month before snowdrops bloom; 2 months before earliest tulips bloom; and 3 months before iris bloom.

Jeanne, you have some really pretty ones there to anticipate!

Love Stairway to Heaven. The late Barbara Schmeider took one look its first year & said 'Dykes' & so it became.

Thanks Daisy and Lucy. I'm so excited for what spring will bring.

Yes, I have Paul Black, and Stairway to Heaven - both wonderful! And Rhinelander is on my wish list. Nice list.

DH's brother used to live in Rhinelander, WI which is why I wanted it. But I love the lavender color and the ruffles. I am praying that it survives our cold winter.

I grew up in WI & Rhinelander is pretty far north. I lived in Whitefish Bay which is a northren suburb of Milwaukee.

I like Rhnelander for its rather unique pinky-lavender that is ever so slightly greyed.

I grew up abou 20 miles South of Rhinelander, Wis. I also have Rhinelander the iris, and it's pretty nice, although it skips blooming every few years.

Daisy: Princess Monaco has not consistently bloomed for me but When it has, I really liked it!!! If I have sufficient increase I will share but In prior years it has been scrawny so if you can find it elsewhere, take it!! Sky and Sun grows like a monster and I love it!!! I cross it a lot because it also is pretty fertile as a pod parent. The prettiest blue I have that is consistent at blooming is Babbling Brook. It drips in diamonds. It is almost a medium blue but some blooms are lighter than others. Procrastinator is awesome as well but it is fairly new and I have only seen it bloom once so it is hard to rate long term. Luxuriant is very light steely type blue, dripping in Diamonds and jaw dropping but also one of my newer ones and so hard to rate!!!

Oopsie: went back and reviewed my Pics. Luxuriant is light purple like Silverado!!!