This one will glow even on cloudy days. It has ruffles and flounces but mostly I like its intense lovely color. It is yellow without being harsh




Edited to add the name Glitter Gulch. lol

Bonnie, what's the name of that beautiful ruffled yellow?

I see Stairway to Heaven has 2 nominations, from Europe and the midwest US

Kathy Chilton has a big bloom and in the past two years the shade has overtaken its area and it still blooms.

OOPS..... Thanks for catching that Neal. It is Glitter Gulch. I went back and edited.

This is one that is not particularly a favorite but it has great stamina, nice form, and a long bloom period. It is a no fuss iris and blooms whether neglected or not.

English Charm

grannysgarden said:This is one that is not particularly a favorite but it has great stamina, nice form, and a long bloom period. It is a no fuss iris and blooms whether neglected or not.

English Charm

And it reblooms - I second that nomination!

English Charm is one of those I am looking forward to seeing in my garden for the first time. Should bloom this year.

If someone has at least a dozen irises they must have one white. One of my favorites is Diamond Lil. I have some new ones that I have not seen bloom yet so DL may come in second place in the future but for now she holds the crown. There is something very sassy about DL.

Eight so far and can only choose two more. lol

I will have to add Cosmopolitan. It is a lovely tan and lavender iris with a very, very long bloom time. The best thing I like about it is that it seems to glow across the garden. Looking at it you would not think it would get your attention but even from a distance it calls you to come and see it.

I am trying not to select favorites but to select the real troopers that bloom thru drought and hail storms. I guess my last real staunch iris would have to be Major Tom...... or Rosy Forecast. Whine......... which one, which one..... I will have to take a break. when I finally choose it may not be the two mentioned above. lol (pause for refreshment)

Wait a minute, thread says top dozen..... YAY! I can choose three more. Breathing slowly now.

with Debra and rob, 90 percent of mine are newer and this year will be the first bloom for them.

No photos, but plicata 'Jesse's Song', amoena 'Stairway to Heaven', blue 'Breakers,' white 'White Hot'. Unusual 'Thornbird. You have to be able to enjoy a funny color & as Bonnie said produces both horns & spoons. I also like 'Party's Over'. It is a near reverse amoena & for a true reverse 'Wintry Sky'.

That's All Folks both for vigor, size and beauty

Mary Frances for increase and reliability (may be older than 30)

Persian Berry - so reliable and beautiful color

Ballerina Girl never fails to bloom.

Sheer Ecstasy always blooms and increases.
Another view of That's All Folks below

I've had this one so long, and have it in several places in the garden.. A real trooper in all kinds of soils and conditions. I got it as Stepping Out, but more likely is 'Classic Look' or 'Rare Treat' (although I think it's taller). I will have those to check against this year, thanks to Tom.


A friend had this growing in her garden and I was bewitched.. There's so much I love about this Iris...


'That's All Folks'... just wow. I literally squealed with delight the first time this opened.


'Engagement Ring'.. those ruffles! First time blooming this past Spring, but I'm seeing a lot of increases.


Another Ghio that I've become quite smitten with is 'Brouhaha'.. I really do like the Emma Cook patterns, it seems. And ruffles.


Another outstanding performer that I've had a while is 'Dynamite'.

These are great!

Alright I have been growing iris for 20 years since my grandmother died over time my tastes have changed a lot I've grown arils arilbred Japanese Siberian spuria ibs sdbs Bb and TB they all have their virtues today l grow a lot of talls and arilbred the rest have gone all the flowers here are wonderful bet let me lead you a moment please
Arilbred
Babylonian fires
Energizer
Gideons lamp
Mohr pretender
And genetic artist are a few recent and older cultivars that are weeds as well as gorgeous

Talls
Surprised me no one mentioned
Wintry sky
Slovak prince
Blueberry bliss
Happenstance
Trip to bountiful

Could I have only 12 iris
2 talls
2 arilbred
2 Japanese
2 SDB
2 spuria
2 Siberian
As this would give the longest bloom season
All bearded would probably be rebloomers known to rebloom in my own zone
Hope it helps because 12 is just out of the question there are around 350 talls BBs and arilbred and experiencing the worst losses have ever had in the last two screwed up seasons used to have over 1000 named 134 arilbred I was told I couldn't grow here last season lost perhaps 60 join your local club get your iris from them I am arilbred ( Randall Dixon Rockford) if you really want to see the beauty of these mentioned see me Facebook page photos they are much better than either plant database although occasionally they are their as well I no longer add photos to any database when I started finding them elsewhere neither came from here or ais photobucket and all those clouds will use your photos

Hi arilbred! I'd certainly like to see your list. I'm concentrating on TBs for the "poll", but inquiring minds want to know I see you're in zone 7a, in what region is your garden?

Hi Aril, I recall your posts from over a year ago wanting to trade for irises.

Would love to under I'll be back for sure in April last 2 seasons the worst I've seen lost almost 50 arilbred since spring but have 3 tasco 2015 s alakazam dragons eye and warrior prince and love those 2 2014 s I saw 1 I think was shamons magic