Yep, I think Paul and Debra are right: There's probably nothing intrinsically more hardy about irises that were being hybridized and introduced, say, 60 years ago. But there probably *is* something to the idea that an iris that has survived several decades despite neglect, drought, flood, etc. has a desirable quality in its genes. An intro from last year (or from 2000, for that matter) hasn't been tried in the same way, so we can't really be sure which ones have those same genetic traits. Out of my newer irises, I'd personally put some money on "Sharp Dressed Man," for one. It's only two years old in my garden, so that's a really premature bet, I realize, but I've been impressed so far by its laughter in the face of some pretty nasty climate events.

I guess each of us will fill our available room with what is pleasing to our eye. One of the joys of having a garden is the only one we really need to please is ourselves.

You are correct ,Paul. The ones that were "miffy" growers didn't make it "back in the day", either. And there are hybridizers incorporating some of the "old' genetics, though back crosses, to beef up the hardiness of their new creations. Still, it makes one wonder if the "historic" iris everyone is hunting for, and not finding in the year 2075, Might be something like "That's All Folks"! As time passes, and styles and desires change with it, who knows what we will choose to protect, pamper, and preserve, and which will be allowed to "fend for themselves" ? That page of the book has yet to be written, but I do think it's up to us , In the Here and Now, to do our best to preserve, and protect, love , and pass along ALL the ones we can, with their names, and pedigrees....so those who come after us can ponder these same things, and say to themselves ,"I wonder!?"....Arlyn

...'zackly, Arlyn.

I can't remember where I was on the iris forum but this old thread caught my eye… i really enjoyed the stories. to all.

@iciris for bumping this thread, I was too deeply mired in my own crazy life to be on the forums much in early May (still am, but now I'm being rebellious about it).

My story isn't nearly as good as everyone elses' stories at all, but when we moved to this property, I noticed that there were irises growing randomly on one part of the yard. Hard to explain, but it was clear they were long neglected or randomly grown from a wayward seed or two somehow. I made it clear to my husband that he was *not* to mow over them, LoL, and the grass sprouted up around them and buried them before in no time, well before I could get to them to dig them out. Three days ago, I finally went out there with a hand spade, braved the mosquitos--who didn't seem phased by my bug spray--they ate me alive!--and rescued the unknown irises that seemed determined to survive where they were at, despite it all.

I don't know if all of the rhizomes are the same variety or not, but I'm hoping they bloom this year or next so that I can see what they are! I want those bug bites to be worth it, LoL!

Such great stories. I wish I could say I've got some rarity I found, now growing in the garden. The closest thing to finding irises is the clump I received from a coworker. A neighbor of hers had divided her Irises and gave her some rhizomes, which she promtly left in a pile because she didn't know what to do with them. Short story short, She gave them to me so they are now planted in the corner of my front yard. I'm really looking forward to seeing what they are, no blooms yet.

Your reward for braving the mosquitoes will be iris blooms, DnD! (Not making light of mosquito bites AT ALL... I should buy stock in the company that sells Cortizone-10 (hydrocortizone); I've been using a LOT of it this year.)

Your gifted irises still count as a "rescue", Rebekah!

Hope for both of you that they turn out to be something pretty!

Polymerous said:Hope for both of you that they turn out to be something pretty!

Thanks Poly, Evelyn

Thank you, Marilyn and Evelyn!

Marilyn - I hope they bloom! I don't know if irises just dislike me, but of the 35 or so irises that I have had for 2 or more years, I've only seen maybe 7 or 8 of them bloom, I believe. The rest stubbornly refuse to bloom or just die (or the wind or branches conspire to destroy the scapes as they are budding ---happened to two of mine this year). I'm hoping this/these "rescue" iris(es) bloom(s)! ...no scapes at all this year, at least not yet. I'm still too inexperienced with irises to know if there is any hope of this/these or any other of my irises throwing up scapes this year or not.

DND, I have a NO ID blue-purple iris I could send you, if you want one. It's one of the very last ones to bloom in my garden and takes our heat like a trooper. I wonder if it would work out better for you with your weather conditions if you had later blooming irises.

Barbara, that is so sweet of you! When I read your tree-mail earlier, I was wondering what you were referring to Now that I read this, it makes sense, and I would love to try your blue NOID. I love irises, and if I can keep my iris growing season going longer, all the better!

Oops, I should have told you in the above post I would tree mail you.

Found some irises in the compost pile at work. Gonna have to plant these somewhere

👍🏻👏🏻

Interesting stories! Doing a part in recycling useful items.

I am nursing several rescue iris from a former seller's ignored field that turned out to be Frosted Glass and Sailor's Dance. Have had several turn out to be "commoners" and of course not all can easily be id'd so others are NO-IDs.