Many of us here on the iris forum have bought iris for years and have preferred sources. Others may be new here and not know where to start. We have touched on this subject before on several threads here and on cubits but I think a thread dedicated exclusively to this subject might be of value. Hopefully we can keep it positive and talk about good sources. Some of mine and why are......... Keith Keppel.........Keith carries his own fabulous intros and those of Barry Blyth. He has a great selection and he sends nice rhizomes and is generous with extras. Joe Ghio..........Joe introduces some wonderful iris each year and has a nice listing of his own and other's iris. Check out his bargain section for great buys. He sends nice starts and generous extras. Superstition Iris Gardens.........They have their own intros and a nice listing of recent iris from a number of sources. They send nice large rhizomes and send extras. A good source for those starting out. Mid-America...........A bewildering number of gorgeous intros each year....including TBs and Medians. They list a number of recent things from other hybridizers and the catalog has many beautiful pictures. Nice starts and extras. I love their SDBs. Aitkens Salmon Creek Garden.......I ordered some SDBs here last summer. When they arrived they were very fresh healthy starts many showing increases. They established quickly and continued to increase. I was well pleased and would order from them again. Lots of nice color in this catalog. Where do you go for your iris? I'm certain there are other great sources I'm not familiar with.

Thank you for starting this thread.


However, my wallet may have different feelings towards you.

Well, Paul, as you know , my preferences run towards the Historic iris cultivars, and re-blooming iris. But, to be truthful, I have quite a few "new" one, too ! Superstition, as Paul says, is an excellent source for everything from rare historics, to the latest intros. Winterberry Iris Gardens is my "go-to" place for rebloomers, but also has some historics, and lots of new intros. Bluebird Haven Iris Garden has a HUGE selection of older iris, and Mary is wonderful to deal with. Snowpeak is also a good source for historics, and offers a good selection of more modern iris, with lots of new intros, and Dee is another that is great to deal with. I have ordered from the above places, and never been disappointed! Other sources with a "web based store" that I have ordered from, and been very pleased with ,are Blue J Iris
Irisgal.com
Echo Iris
Exline Iris Garden
C and T Iris Patch
Iris 4 U
Iris City Gardens
Comanche Acres
Argyle Acres
Iris Warehouse
Willow Bend Iris
and, of course Schreiners
I've been treated well by all of these places, and would recommend them to anyone. There are more vendors out there that I've heard good things about, but haven't (as yet !) ordered from.
Arlyn

Blue J iris in Nebraska grow wonderfully for me here in Kansas.
Snowpeak is always true to name and good prices. I order from her and BlueJ every year.

Aitkens Salmon Creek has more than TB iris--I have ordered spuria, japanese iris, siberians and others from them and have been very pleased. They've been very helpful when I had questions.
Sutton iris has a great selection of rebloomers and space age.
Keith Keppel, Superstition, MidAmerica, all send huge huge iris.
Stout's Dancing Tree in OKC has a great selection.

Many others that I loved shopping are no longer selling.

My favorite sources are iris club sales! If you live within a few hours of a city that has an iris club, you might look into joining, or at least find out the dates for club sales. I learn so much at the meetings, and meet other iris enthusiasts. The springtime regional meetings are terrific because they usually have garden tours. I come home with an aching hand from holding the camera still for thousands of photos! Our club invites hybridizers to speak and you just can't beat first hand knowledge. The club sales feature hundreds of iris at very reasonable prices.

I have been very pleased with the following (many duplicates of what others have said)
You might want to check a vender out on the Garden Watch Dog for comments about them.
In no particular order:

Iris 4 U - Nice sized rhizomes, often doubles, generous bonuses often new releases Excellent customer relations. Timely shipments

NAPA - Large rhizomes, nice bonuses, timely shipments, super web pages

Snowpeak - Nice rhizomes, nice bonuses, timely shipments, Super nice customer relations
Fair prices.

Mid-America - Nice Rhizomes, nice bonuses, timely shipments, large selection of new releases.

Keith Keppel Irises - Nice Rhizomes, Nice bonuses,(sometimes as many or more then the number you ordered!) timely shipments, great customer relations,

Bay View Gardens - Nice Rhizomes, Nice bonuses, Fills orders in the order he receives them, lower prices on older models.

Superstition Gardens - Nice Rhizomes (Extra large), Nice bonuses, Timely shipments, good customer relations,

Sisters (only ordered once last year) - Nice Rhizomes, Nice bonuses, Timely shipment, Good customer relations.

Schreiners - Nice Rhizomes, Nice bonuses, Timely shipments, good customer relations,

Suttons - Nice Rhizomes, Nice bonuses, Timely shipments, and good customer relations.
I've only had poor quality rhizomes from one vendor, and they have gone out of business. There are many more out there that I haven't used yet. I think there is a vendor list sticky at the top of the iris page.

Iris City Gardens - Nashville

If you are looking for Winterberry Iris Gardens in VA, be sure to stick in the word 'iris'. there is a winterberry Gardens in IL which sell different things/

On this subject, (sort of !) , does anyone here know if Newburns Iris Gardens is still in business ? I think they are (or were) located in Nebraska. They have no website, but I've e-mailed them, and have gotten no response. There are several cultivars I'm seeking, and I believe they may have them....Thanks...Arlyn

Sorry Arlyn -- I can be of no help at all..............

Arlyn, I found a phone number listed on the Greater Omaha Iris Society's website if you want to try calling. 402-464-7232

Thanks, Debra!..Arlyn

Just my 2 cents: Don't forget Gary Hester www.wildirisrows.com . Very generous. Each time I've ordered he's sent 2 and 3 !! rhizomes of each ordered and bonuses as well. I've had wonderful iris from Stouts, Schreiners, Superstition and a good experience with Blue J iris as well.

I'm envying all the new blooms, mine in Denver is probably 2 months away. I think I saved everyone this winter but 1 or two from the crazed rabbit population- but I had to put up fences.

Well, I tried calling Newburn's twice, yesterday, Debra, and didn't make connection, so I sent a "snail-mail" letter today. We'll see ! I've never ordered from them, Susan (wild iris rows), but it does look like a fairly good selection!....Arlyn

Let us know the outcome.

Has anyone ordered from International Iris in Portland?

I've tried for the last 2 years to order some "oldies" from him, but they were unavailable. I do think his intros, and some other moderns are "gettable", though. I've heard good things about his iris ....Arlyn

Snowpeak
Keppel
Mid America
Superstition

While they have limited stock, I would like to give a plug for Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm. Chad Harris has introduced some lovely Japanese iris, and was of great help when I called him about growing ensata in NC. He is a big supporter of species cross as well, and gave quite complimentary recommendations about some of his fellow growers that I should check out. His prices for SDB and IB are a steal!

Deb, what's the flower in your avatar?

Polly, it is an Opening Night rose bud that is being chewed up by something. I liked the way the photo turned out.