Here's a blue that hasn't been mentioned yet, It's Can't Touch This, Schreiner 04.

Tom

Really nice one! Have you seen their new one, ALSEA FALLS, that will be on the cover of their 2012 catalog? That's the one I've been waiting for since I first saw it in 2009! It looks a bit like CAN'T TOUCH THIS, but more ruffled.

Yes I've seen the pics, It's very similar. I wonder if it has better substance then Can't Touch This, which is pretty frail, a little wind or rain, and it can become deformed.

I was at Schreiner's at the end of May in both 2009 and 2010. In 2009 it was in the mid-90's in Salem, and in 2010 it was that cold, rainy year that Keith mentioned where he couldn't make any crosses. And it was raining on and off the entire time I was at Schreiners. But ALSEA FALLS looked spectacular both times. That is THE ONE I've been waiting for for three years, and now I must have it! I'm checking the Schreiner's website daily to see if they have posted the rest of their intros yet, plus they've deleted a lot of the irises that were posted there before in their alpha listing so I'm hoping they will be adding new one soon. Which reminds me -- I haven't looked today yet! Here is what the clumps looked like in both years:

2009 (hot)


2010 (rainy)


When it was raining that day it was really pelting us from time to time, and I thought ALSEA FALLS held up quite well. If you enlarge the picture you can see that darker amoena behind it has just about all the standards flattened from the rain. That was something I noticed about it when I first saw it -- it seemed to have good substance, the falls were long, ruffled and beautiful -- and most important, the standards did not fly open on each bloom. I really do not like the standards to open too much so there are big gaps between them. I have gotten rid of a lot of iris because of that. Also, I thought the deep blue color of the falls was exquisite, and I don't even mind that it's going to be more expensive because I know it's worth it!

These blue iris were here when we moved in 2007.Its the most beautiful blue

Jo Ann, That's a nice blue color.

Betty, That's good to know about ALSEA FALLS, I was surprised to see the short list at Schreiner's too, but guessed they were taking inventory and would be updating. Did you know that they bought out the stock from Cooley's? I had e-mailed them to see if they knew where I could get "Dylan", since they were out of business, and they told me to watch Schreiner's to see if they would have it since they bought all of their stock. I'd guess they will have to add lots of new things to their web page. I''m eager to see their new listings.

Didn't know that, but isn't it nice that all that stock will survive and thrive? I noticed that Superstition and Napa Country have a number of Cooley's irises this year too. Two of my very favorite irises are Cooley's introductions: DANDY CANDY and DANCING WITH IRENE. Two real beauties!

Yes, I love Dandy Candy, I have it, like how it changes color with age, Also like Finishing School, much the same. Then I like Whispering spirits, Carnival Ride, Zesting lemons, and Double Ringer too, soooo many iris, so little time, lol I have all of them, but lost Finishing School last winter for some reason.

What is it called when beards look like this
'Ice For Brice'?

That appendage is known as a 'flounce'. That makes it a space age (SA) iris.

Thanks Lucy. Is 'Ice For Brice' fairly representative? More flounce, less flounce?

sometimes the flounces are more full. Space Agers can have horns at the end of the beards or spoons which seem to have a little cup. Flounces vary quite a bit.

Thank you very much. So much to learn.

Thats why I come to garden websites. Thanks Evan

I found another thumb drive with some picture I forgot about, and thought I'd include Keppel's Adriatic waves among the blues.

Tom

I'm so glad you found that one, Tom. ADRIATIC WAVES is truly one of my favorites too.


And that suddenly made me think of Keith's SEA POWER -- It's one of the great bubbly ones in a lighter, more silvery blue -- and a Dykes Medal winner to boot!

I found a few more Blues that I thought should be added to this thread on a cold winter day

Honky Tonk Blues





Baltic Sea



Bubbling Waves



Falcon Pride




Cloud Ballet



Blue Trill

Beautiful blues, Aruba! Thanks for contributing your pictures, and I really love HONKY TONK BLUES.