Better get moving Rob, so you don't miss out.

Mary Ann, most web sites say sold out after they reach a certain point in time that they don't take orders anymore. Could be that he's not taking orders, but had lots of extras when they reset their rhizomes. Most places replant everything every year. You'll have to e-mail him and find out.

Mary Ann - 2 1/2 hours one way is too far in my book. Would be interested to know what he says to your email query though.

Oh Tom -- I didn't know that. I will email them and let you'all know what their response is.

They put "Sold Out" on all their rhizomes after their last day of regular season on-line sales. He said those on sale would be older varieties of hearty iris that are known to grow well. He also said that it would be cash or PayPal only (No checks) so I assumed they would be having an open to the public sale at their place. Can't figure out how you would take cash for an online sale! He has a few he hybridized that I really want, but the hybrids won't be in the sale.

I got an email from him. Tom and Leslie are right -- the sold-out signs on all of their Irises was their way of ending the ordering season. But he told me that there are many of those Irises that will be in the sale, plus many others not currently on their website (maybe the older varieties you mentioned Leslie?).

And yes -- it is an open sale at their place of business. He recommended that I get there early (opens at 8:00 AM) to get the best selection. As it is over two hours to drive there, I can't be there early. And -- looking at their prices, which are very reasonable -- I'm thinking I would just skip this and order from them next spring. They have several Irises I would love to have -- but it doesn't make a lot of sense to get up at 0-dark hundred, drive for hours, spend sixty bucks on gas to MAYBE get the Irises I want and save three or four dollars on each one.

I would have to agree with you ,MaryAnn ! $60 will buy quite a few iris ! ........Arlyn

Could be Mary Ann. He said they have to make room. I have about 36, at least, from his website that I am interested in. All those crazy Burseen's especially. My order from him this year was great and included lots of bonus iris as well, so I definitely plan to put an order in next year. They stop online selling earlier than most - in July - or I may have added some more this year! I might just make a "spoon garden" for all the ones with horns and spoons. Too bad there aren't dwarfs or intermediates that I have found with spoons or horns.....

There you go Mary Ann, that old Rational thinking process again! Sometimes you just have to say what the heck, and spend the day and a little money, and indulge a bit! Besides you'd get to see the blooms next year instead of having to plant the new rhizomes. If you buy 25 and save $2. on each one, you have paid for your gas. If you buy 50, you pay for your gas and lunch, and you get the honor of upgrading you level of insanity!

Talk about rationalizing!

Don't you mean "Irrationalizing"!

'Punk' is an MDB with horns. It has a rather large flower for the class. Means that the stem is too short. Last I knew Superstition Gardens had it, but their orders are closed for the year.

I wonder who is still accepting orders? I have a couple of sacks of potting soil still... Starting to hyperventillate over the fact that the buying season may be over...

Yes, this is the worst time for iris growers. I am thinking I should have bought more of a particular variety, more from a vendor, more for a particular bed.... just more. It has the same feeling as a kid anticipating Christmas for months and then.... it is over. you know you have to wait another year for it to come again. When the irises quit blooming I order more and start planting and sharing. but when fall comes and I cannot order any more and it seems so long until spring........

I just try to enjoy seeing how fast they are growing, and trying to determine if they will grow enough to bloom the next year. The veggie garden is producing now, and that keeps me occupied trying to keep up with it all. So I'm somewhat distracted from thinking about the irises. Funny though, when winter comes and I start looking at all the iris pictures, I think I want them all and start adding them to the wish list. Then bloom time happens, and I start looking again at the wish lists, and I start thinking, "Now why did I add that one?" So I can cull the list some, then when the new intro's start showing up, I go crazy again, and want them all, but budget keeps me more in line, but not really as in line as I should be!

Sherry -- the PNW sale starts next week -- you can easily buy enough to use up your potting soil!!

I second the PNW sale....or you could order a box from Ghio!

Thanks Lucy. I will have to make note of Punk.