More like future debt...

Or no life (other than our Iris garden)

It's all a question of priorities, and "life style" changes.......I'd rather have more irises, than new blue jeans.( the 'holes" are an *in* thing, and make me look *cool*....as well as make me FEEL cool ), I'm too old to spend time 'partying", so, beer money goes to iris, I no longer make political contributions, as the politicians can steal plenty, on their own, without me giving them any more , there's no sense planning on leaving any money to my kids.....if they even "half way" listened to what we tried to teach them, they won't need it, and, if they DIDN'T listen, they would just waste it anyway! I save tons of money on haircuts (I'm bald), I don't have a gym, or 'health club" membership....working in the garden is FREE exercise! I DO spend quite a bit on fishing tackle, but, that's REALLY needed for the garden, also.....remember Squanto and the Pilgrims ? I never have to spend much on entertaining friends.....the "true" friends I have don't need any additional "entertainment" other than our time together, and, being somewhat obnoxious helps hold the numbers down, too ! So, you see, it's pretty easy to find the $ for iris !

I am with you, Arlyn. I am retired, now longer have a business, so no longer need to entertain unless it is my family or close friends. These guests expect to spend some time in the garden when they come so I owe it to them to keep it lovely. Also, it keeps medical costs way down because, as you mentioned, exercise and de-stressing. I am happiest in a garden..... flower or vegetable.

Barbalee!

barbalee I suggest to you that you try some arilbreds 1/4 or 1/2 needs they love hot dry conditions I have photos of a good number on my Facebook page Randall Dixon rockford

See Barbalee, all these people have good ideas for you. Can't beat that!

Arlyn, your comments were priceless!

I think I should give them a try too, it's very hot an dry here too.

Never know until you try them. I haven't yet, but I really don't need to add another group to my collection. I don't think anyway.

They are beautiful..... if I grow them in pots they may have a chance here.

The taller ones may be happier in TX rather than the smaller. Ask Debra who has a TX garden although a different part of the state.

Welcome Barbalee!

I live in the hot, dry semi desert of the Central San Joaquin Valley in California. It gets very hot here but we don't have the winds you have. The irises (I have mainly tall bearded with some of the smaller ones) seem to do well here. I don't know how hot it is in Amarillo but we get heat waves where it's 107 or more for a week to 10 days at a time. This is my 4th year of growing irises so I'm still learning a lot. This is a great group of people who will help you learn tons! I'm glad you joined in!

Speaking of Arilbreds my first one, Shaman's Magic, has a bloom stalk on it! I got it as a bonus from Superstition last summer.

Arlyn -- you are a hoot!!!

John read that walking keeps you in shape. So he walks behind the mower. Many of our irises were moved to an old horse pasture where there is sun when the beds were shaded near the house. Plenty of grass to mow.

Barbalee

Good for John, Lucy!!

With 55 ordered this year (not counting trades or the PNW sale)
I'm in the "slightly off-balance" category - which is a good description of
my current frame of mind!

Would never order that many in one year. You guys are crazy & happily keeping vendors in business.

We are happily crazy, though, Lucy.

Welcome, Barbalee. Ok Debra, what is your new avatar? Very pretty. I have a new income stream opening up and am going a bit crazy; decided I could spend more that 3:50-10 for an iris, but am trying to leave some to buy next year. But between Burgard's great prices and some other with good prices for SDBs and medians, resistance seems to be futile.

Charlotte, that one is Navajo Code.