Lets say I have an iris in bloom and I have no idea what it is. I only know that it is large and tall and dark purple/black with white veining (luminata?) How would I search for it?

You have to have some idea about the name to use the iris encyclopedia. If someone gives you a name You can double check it there. As you know, there are so many irises (1,000+ registerd a year), there has to be a clue somewhere first. Did you get it from a friend, a club sale, or (horrors) a box store?

I would say, step 1 is to take lot's of good pics...close-ups, and clump shots 2..record everything you know about the iris..in this case, it's tall, and big..so probably a TB. ,does it have PBF?, does it have an aroma? what does it smell like? grapes? rootbeer ? perfume?..3 post the pic that best shows the bloom on the forums...you might get lucky, and someone will say" I think it's .....whatever...4 spend some time searching the vendors websites...most have their search set up to search by color.....Then, assuming you find one or two "possibles", check the AIS wiki for more info on the possibles, look for things that will confirm, or deny ID. then, let's say you find one iris that you are FAIRLY sure is a match...Ask your "iris buddies' on the forums "Anybody grow.......?, if one does, he may offer to either send you a piece, or have YOU send one to HIM, for comarason growing. If no one has it, try to buy one from a vendor, and grow for compasison. If it's a match...you did it !! If it's NOT a match.....repeat steps 3 and 4 ...good luck !....Arlyn

He has a the best explanaiton

I guess I was hoping for a database that would list them by color and attribute rather than name. Do you know which sites list their irises by color?

Boy -- that would be a tremendous help! If it doesn't exist, someone should create that.

Many vendors do allow you to sort by color, but of course is limited to their collection.

Schreiner's site now has this feature.

Eureka!! It is Earl of Rhodes. I found it at Snowpeak, which I now remembered I got it. t is much darker than the pic there though, nearly black. It is a gorgeous clump this year.

Always good to know your sources. Over 1,000 registered each year (not all USA) so color or pattern could be very long.

Yay! I love it when an Iris's identity is found!!

BTW, both ATP and Cubits are searchable by color. Go to advanced search on both, and just fill in the info you know.

caitlinsgarden said:Lets say I have an iris in bloom and I have no idea what it is. I only know that it is large and tall and dark purple/black with white veining (luminata?) How would I search for it?

Polly's correct. The databases here at ATP and at Cubits are among the few that can do the type of search you are asking for. If you go to the Irises Database (The Irises Database) and click "Search by characteristics", you get to the advanced search page. Then just check off the information that you know and click "Search". If you check off the boxes "Tall Bearded (TB)", "Purple", and "Luminata" you'll get a list of irises that match those criteria. In this case, there are 11 entries that currently match, including Earl of Rhodes. http://garden.org/plants/group...

There are nearly 50,000 varieties of iris listed in the ATP database, including almost every iris that has been registered between 1950 and today. Many irises registered prior to 1950 are in there too, if they are still being grown by someone. Not all of the entries have all of the information entered yet, not even close. There is currently no picture of 'Earl of Rhodes', for example. But, ATP members add new information and pictures every day (hint). Even considering all the information that still needs to be added, the ATP iris database is probably the most complete searchable database available.

Some growers allow you to search by characteristics, but they mostly just list the varieties they sell. There's certainly nothing wrong with that, but it limits their usefulness somewhat. The Iris Encyclopedia (http://wiki.irises.org/bin/vie...) is a great resource IF you know the name of iris you want information on. If you don't already know the name, you can search on other terms but it's hard and often doesn't give very satisfying results.

Thank you Kent. My next question was going to be: "where do I find advanced search"! I will take a picture of it if it ever quits raining.
Yes, I would have found it in that search if there had been a pic. Stout Gardens has a picture of it, and also some search by characteristics listings. it is listed under "plicata" there. Is there an entry on ATP that defines things like "plicata", "luminata" "style arms" etc.?

Style arms are in the heart of the flower. At the end is the stigmatic lip where the pollen is placed.

Plicata is a color pattern with dark edging on a white or yellow ground. Luminata is the reverse. google 'Stepping Out' for the first pattern in the iris encyclopedia & 'Vulcanic Echo' for the 2nd pattern.

Great work at the Iris database!! There is nothing like that anywhere!!

I would love to see a drawing of the parts of an iris posted in a sticky. Cooley's catalog used to have a very good one and I'm sure there are a lot of others out there.