We've got a scattering of irises bringing some life to the backyard. All but one were named varieties until the recipe card they were saved to disappeared. The light blue noid pictured below was harvested from a tree line between two properties and hadn't appeared to have bloomed for quite some time. It gave me a few blooms last year but it's really taken off. I wasn't terribly impressed but it does put on a show.

The only known iris currently in the landscape, "Best Bet"





And the rescue plant:








Should be at least two more varieties coming very, very soon. At least the 2014 season is officially starting!

...Arlyn

Looks like a good start!

The rescue is a lovely Iris!!

Nice rescue!

Mary Ann and Leslie, I most certainly agree! Last year my thought was that it was a little bland but with the increase in blooms and overall size and presence I'm very pleased.

The chain link fence should be a bit of an indicator but the strong stalks are reaching upwards of 4' (I measured 46" on the tallest).

I love Best Bet. It was my first named Iris.

Love, love, love the rescued iris!

I agree, the rescue plant is beautiful and rewarding you for your efforts.

Nice to see Iris just starting as mine are finishing.. Extending the season!!

Take a look at 'Great Lakes' to see if that matches your rescue.

I need to get to bed, but I wanted to post a couple of my favorite maiden blooms from this weekend.




Ma Mie                                                         William A. Setchell



Black and Gold                                          Floridor



Red Chieftain                                              Finest Hour

oh Brett, lovely blooms. Thanks for posting them.

Beautiful, Brett -- every one of them!! I'm really impressed with Black & Gold!

That was my favorite too, Mary Ann. Such deep vibrant colors!

Nice variety Brett, I have to say I favor "Ma Mie" as it's rather different than any I've grown. I purchased Red Chieftain a few years back and gifted it off and haven't seen it in bloom. (LOL, happens frequently, I'm a sucker for sale pricing whether I have room or not!)

Sherry, I have noticed the resemblance of the noid to "Great Lakes" and I might attribute it's height to being in the absolute sunniest location in the whole yard. I have another yet to bloom that's a good foot shorter. Owners of one of the properties where I found it at one time had rows of historic irises. There are still a few but I was told the kids did so much damage with lawn mowers that they scrapped the bulk of the plantings.

Only new bloom over the weekend was a favorite white. Usually a prolific bloomer but never a rebloom. Getting an extended bloom here with 2 beds, one bed almost done and the other just starting to fill out. Looks like we might have some blooms left for Memorial Day this year. This time last year the irises were all but done.

Nice, Brett ! So THAT'S what Red Chieftain looks like ! Mine MAY be big enough to bloom this year, I hope! .......Wes, I've found the height of LOTS of the "oldies" to vary greatly from their "registered height" (maybe yard sticks were made differently, back in the day ), even more than the more "modern" iris, but, I agree, location in the garden can really affect it, and flower size, also.......Arlyn

Love Finest Hour and Black & Gold. Nice pics!!

Thanks, all, for the nice comments. And I apologize, Wes, for posting my pictures in the wrong thread. I was in a hurry and thought I was still looking at the "favorite historics" thread. Back on topic: I have heard sort of vague criticisms about Best Bet, but I'm not sure whether the problem is supposed to be poor substance, lack of growth, or what. I planted it last year and it hasn't bloomed yet, so I'd be interested in hearing your firsthand impressions.

Brett

Finest Hour is my favorite of that group.