I grow a lot of daylilies too, Cindy (I am particularly fond of the short ones, LOL). They usually bridge the gap between iris bloom and lily bloom for me.

I have a small rock garden that I am going to convert to smaller, shorter daylilies. This spring I have to move about 4 larger daylilies out of it and put some of my smaller ones in their place.

This morning:
Microwave ( a lovely blue this morning)



Bedford Lilac (looking more blue than lilac)




Ruby Elf (color is even more fuchsia than this)


Fast Forward




Cocoa Pink


Sorry for the lack of clarity. My camera needs an overhaul! As do I!

Sweet dwarfs, Jan!

Thanks, Bonnie. Some from Sue. The Bedford Lilac (3 plants from Schreiner's) look more blue
than lilac. Maybe the color will change.

Jan - most people are upset that their blue iris are more lavender!

I was thinking how funny it is that so many are described as blue but look more lavender, it's unusual to see the opposite.

I love the blue of Microwave. Is it really that blue?

janielouy said:I love the blue of Microwave. Is it really that blue?

Yes. They were just opened this morning. I'm surprised they're called "Standard dwarf" -
The flower is quite small.

I have a few that open about two three inches from the ground that are considered SDB's too. I wonder if it is just their reaction to my climate?

I have had quite a few of the first blooms on short stalks. I think it was because we went down to 28 degrees for three nights in a row after the stalks had formed. Now I am having heat related bloom problems. The ones in direct sun all day are not lasting nearly as long as they should. whine.......

Here is a dwarf Iris that a friend gave me last year. I do not know the name of it but it is purple. She gave me a bunch of fans that I planted in my raised beds. I dug many up a few weeks ago and potted them individually and put them in my garage under lights. They are all growing like crazy. This is the only one that has bloomed so far. Any idea on its name.

Standard Dwarf are from 8 to 15 inches tall. Miniature tall like 'Persona' are from 16" to 27" tall. It was 20 inches for us, but did not grow very well after the 2nd year.

Jeanne, post another photo when the flower opens. It may be hard to identify from a photo...but it's impossible to identify it while it's still in bud form.

Jeanne, sounds like you essentially forced them- that's cool! I've read about digging lily of the valley in winter and potting it up to force indoors, but had never considered trying it with a bearded iris.

Bonnie, have you ever brought one of your containers inside to promote early blooms?

Here's a few of my little guys..
'Nosferatu'


'Black Lightning'


'Oregon Sunrise'


'Just a Pat'

I forgot about this thread when I was posting my blooms...so one is a duplicate.

California Boy SDB


Gimmick SDB


Keeno MDB
This one surprised me. I almost missed it. The leaves had barely emerged from the rhizome when it bloomed it's maiden bloom!


Ruby Eruption SDB

Great little guys, everyone. Neal, I inadvertently did force a potted iris. I took them to a garden club gathering to show how small they grew and then brought them home and left them in the house. They do force nicely but they need plenty of sun. Then I have to keep them in because they have acclimated to the warmth and I do not want to put them back outdoors before it warms up. You can also put your pots up against a south facing wall and get similar results. For instance I have Killarney Green in a bed on a south slope and it bloomed 10 days before the one in the pot under a shade tree and the one on the north slope will first open tomorrow. If you have one you particularly like try planting it in different garden zones to extend its bloom time.

Look at those fat beards on Just a Pat!

California Boy is bright and cheery!

Good ideas Bonnie

So fun to see all these "little ones"! Beautiful in their own right and promises of the "bigger ones" to come.
This one stole my heart when it bloomed. My husband says that I tell him every one is my favorite but I really mean it with this one...at least today! Ann

Buster SDB