Teresa ~ Oh no! That's terrible! I wish I could help you on this one, but my tiny rhizome is not yet big enough to share. We'll see if it grows well this coming year.

I have put your name on it if it increases enough.

Thank you for the offer, that is very sweet! Maybe I can find it to add this Spring. Merry Christmas, I think you are all ready in the holiday spirit of giving

I had typed in Dykes Winners in Google and it brought up this old thread. Does anyone have some current pictures of their Dykes Winners to share?
I think I may have Wabash but so many look similar to it. Is the bloom on the small size?

Does anyone have Drama Queen, Kathy Chilton, Crowned Heads, Conjuration, Florentine Silk to trade this year? Thanks

I don't think Dark Drama has won but I would love to trade for it too.

I have grown irises all my gardening life but havebeen bit by the bug now, and am interested in collecting. I have so many questions and not sure where appropriate place to post .

My biggest questions are:
1.How do you keep records or iris characteristics, where they are planted, progress from year to year?
2. What is the best way to mark irises. I am using metal markers that I engrave on, but it can get expensive.
3. Some people I have followed here buy so many iris each year! Do you guys just plant long rows upon rows?
4. Do you separate them by category, bloom time, color or class?
5. Years ago, instead of sending florist flowers which are getting so expensive, I started sending plants that bear the name of the special person. It has been so much more appreciated, to have a namesake that blooms. Irises, daylilies and tulips/daffodils have been the easiest (not everyone is a gardener). Sometimes I have tremendous trouble finding the right plant. So I am making a suggestion to all you wonderful gardeners and also asking for ideas to help find namesake plants, and where they are sold. Currently, I am looking for a daylily called Timothy and an Iris named Zoe. Also anything called Dolores. And if this is not the place for this , please redirect me.

1. You can keep notes for each of the iris you have in your plants listing that is in your profile on this site. I find it useful.

2. As for labeling, there was a recent discussion of that on this site. I am using galvanized plant labels ordered from Amazon, and I just took delivery on a new Brother P-Touch labelmaker that can use the new UV fade-resistant tape. My old P-Touch could not take the new fade-resistant tape. Just print out a label on the P-Touch and stick it to the galvanized plant label. I now also print out a second tape, to place right below the name tape, showing year planted and the nursery that sent it.

3. I only buy what I can fit into my small yard's garden, along with other types of plants. Some people have a lot more room, and some here are even growing them for sale. Because my lot is small and I don't favor making it look like a farm, I limit what I buy, generally, to ones that are either high on the annual TB popularity poll, or which have won Dykes awards, Wister awards, or both.

4. I have a small, separate "hots" garden for colors that I don't think will go well with my other iris colors. In my hots garden, which I'll be planting this July, I'll be alternating my hots, with near-blacks. I have chosen all those with the view that I want them all to bloom at the same time, so they are all mid-season bloomers.

5. I was unable to find a Tim, or a Zoe, but I did find a Dolores. Dolores was introduced in about 1920, and so would not have modern features, even if you could find it, which I doubt. Apparently she was not much liked, for there is not a single photo of her in the iris database. Frankly, (though I know there are people here who will disagree) I think choosing a iris for its name is not a good idea. If you want to give someone a real treat, choose one that you think is beautiful. There are lists of medal winners at the American Iris Society web site. There is also the annual tall beardeds popularity poll on that site, too. Googling an iris name, together with the word "iris" and then switching your browser to images will give you a good idea as to whether the iris is one you think your friends will deem pretty. The award winners are also more likely to thrive in a majority of the country's gardens.

Try starting with Absolute Treasure. Your friends and relatives ARE after all, absolute treasures, right? And this one is true to its name.

Daisy said: "Try starting with Absolute Treasure. Your friends and relatives ARE after all, absolute treasures, right? And this one is true to its name."

Excellent advice, Daisy!

Thanks for the acorn, Evelyn!

ttkc to the iris forum. When my mom passed a dear flower friend shared Absolute Treasure with me. It is true that it will hold a special place in my heart when I see it bloom.

In your own little way, you ALL are an Absolute Treasure. At least on my eyes.

DaisyDo said:Thanks for the acorn, Evelyn!

Daisy ~ You are so

My 2020 early Dykes bloomers are:

Montmartre, 2017

Dividing Line, 2014

That's All Folks, 2013

Splashcata, 2005

Mesmerizer, 2002

Before the Storm, 1996

Mystique, 1980

Nice! Lots of pretty ones.

I just ordered Dividing Line....hoping to see it bloom next year.

I have 28 Dykes Medal winners, mostly recent ones although I have Ramses, Mystique, Babbling Brook and Blue Sapphire that are old ones as well as tons of Mary Frances.
I am hoping to acquire Golden Panther from a friend who has most of the collection to way back but is missing some of the older ones that even Bluebird Haven does not have. I am trying to help him find some of them.

My most recent blooms span 56 years of Dykes winners:

Golden Panther, 2009 Dykes Medal Winner

Jesse's Song, 1990 Dykes Medal Winner

Truly Yours, 1953 Dykes Medal Winner

These look very different to me.
Golden Panther, 2009 Dykes Medal Winner

How can I get (ordered) some of Iris plants? Thank you 🙏

pavastipich

This is a list of iris sellers recommended by people in this forum
The thread "Vendor list" in Irises forum

pavastipich said:How can I get (ordered) some of Iris plants? Thank you 🙏

In which country do you live?

welcome pavastipich! best time to order is the winter time of your area. then after blooming season. growers ship their irises out. that is usually in the summer months for the u.s.

Pavastipich!

If you are in the U.S., most places are closed for ordering until next year. Check websites in 2021: Some places begin selling in January; most places are selling by April.

The irises are shipped in July, August or September.

If you are in the southern hemisphere, you can probably order irises now.