Bal Masque is one I had for a quite a long time. I "traded it down" to just one rhizome, and planted it into another bed. It died there. Guess it was lonely for it's old stomping grounds where it did well. It's not one I would replace though, as there are too many nicer new ones that I want. RIP Bal Masque.

Calypso Beat was one I found new homes for last summer. It was a good grower and I enjoyed it for a long time, but I had to make room and it just didn't make the cut any longer. I found homes for all of them, maybe someone else will enjoy it now.

Change of Pace is one I got rid of a few years ago, and then OMG one morning I went out and it was showing it's face as if to say, "I'm Back" so I kept it for a while longer, and then I just found homes for the last of it last summer. It just wasn't one that I enjoyed that much. I think I got all of it this time!

Chatter took 5 years to show it's face, and when it did, I wasn't that impressed. I kept it for a couple more bloom seasons, and then found homes for it last.

Clarence has been in the ground since 2013, has yet to bloom. We keep it because of the name, the angel in 'It's a Wonderful Life'. If it does not bloom this year it will go.

Blessings

This is the saddest thread ever

Yes it is.

Just remember that every ending is a new beginning! Everyone that is gone is replaced with a new one, at least in my case. And think of all the happy people that can enjoy the ones I no longer want.

SDB Sapphire Jewel was a very poor grower. How it got the Cook-Douglas Medal, I will never know. It must grow well in the PNW. Sapphire Gem the CDM the year before is a wonderful grower.

Croft's Caress was the first Iris I ever had die... I was in shock and broken hearted at the same time. I got a bunch of small rhizomes at our club dig this year, and some teeny-tiny ones from my neighbor (who thinks I should collect every Ghio). I had about 5 or 6 from these die, but I'm doing my best to keep 'Tom Johnson' alive.. My neighbor also thinks I should have 'Dodger Blue', but my feelings are in sync with Rob on that one. I would have to murder it.

I thought I parted ways with this noID a month ago after seeing soft rot. I honestly yank them and toss em. This gal thought different though and is striving. She's upside down and has new anchor roots. Stuck to the ground like she glued to it. These historic cockroaches will survive a nuke I swear.

I have at least 3 that will be evaluated/given the boot if they don't bloom next spring..... They may do much much better in a different climate/garden.

Thanks, Rob. It makes me feel better just knowing that if I am not going to grow an iris here any longer that it will be loved by someone else. It makes it easier to cull them knowing they are going to responsible homes. I know that makes me sound a bit 'round the twist' but I cannot toss them on the compost pile. smiles

Neither can I, Bonnie. Most I can do is this if there is no other outlet:

That's great, Debra. Just think of the joy they will bring in the future to strangers who will tell garden admirers that they got them free from the sidewalk.

I tried that -- not a single taker. In fact -- a bad storm blew up that afternoon and blew the table, sign and Irises all over the place.

The Iris Gods were not happy.................

I have an iris sale every year in July through August. I post it on Craig's List and charge $3. each for most, with a few of the newer ones higher. I also have a grab bag that is 20 irises for $30. Many people take advantage of that, and of course they get many more then 20 in the bag, so they are really tickled when they pick them up. Many of the people who buy them come back the next year during bloom season to see them all in bloom. That of course gets them to fall in love with some more, and then they often make an order for some. This last summer when I dug up a large bed, I offered boxes of irises on here to people for postage, my choice of cultivars, and I had more takers then irises. Which was great, because I didn't have to compost them.


Cross Examined was a bonus that I didn't really like much. So it went.

Tom - So how early can you start taking requests to be placed on a list for a possible box? After all. I will have lots & lots of pots to put them in.

Blessings

I have lots of very nice iris from Paul Black but was disappointed with 'Gaudy Is Good'. I think it was a bonus and didn't give it a second chance.

Poor irises. It's like these parents leaving them at the church manger

I hope I can have that many or afford the give them away. I was on the Craigslist purchase end last year and got some saweeeet deals.