UndyingLight said:

That gives me a good idea. What's an iris breed that is on the fence, that you really LIKE but won't keep it because it is not consistent?

Here are two cultivars that I love but are inconsistent. This spring may be their last chance:



I love the colors in this iris. It won an Award of Merit award, but in my yard, at least, it doesn't bloom every year and when it does, it is not floriferous. I moved it to a prime area last spring and am hoping for a better performance this year.



Another one that I love. The first year it bloomed in April and repeat bloomed in June. In subsequent years, it increases like crazy but only puts up one or two stalks. I moved this to prime real estate as well and am hoping for more stalks.
We'll see.

Andrea: Venita Faye does appear to have very pretty colors. I am thinking I actually may not have that color combo. I might move it to my want list.

Venita Faye got the shovel from me a few years back.. It was very pretty when it bloomed... which may have been once, but I have no pictures to even back up that assertion.. I kept it for several years, and finally gave up.
I also have her child, 'Gentle Reminder', which didn't bloom last year (my first spring with it).. I hope it won't be as shy as it's parent..

I just got Venita Faye last year, so I have no idea as to what to expect.

Thank you Andrea, Elsa and Sherry for your comments as if she doesn't do well, I won't take it personally.

Aleutian Islands is on my want list....Maaan. I'd hope it would do well here!

Currently, no irises are on my theoretical fence yet. I've not had enough time for any of my brand new irises to bloom. Except my noids and a few purchases (that have neither bloomed or returned to bloom), no new iris has bloomed yet for me because of the 2018 planting. A few tried...blasted weather!

It may be a few years until I can decide. I'm liking the feedback! Thank you.

@UndyingLight. Monty, if you haven't already got ahold of 'Dusky Challenger', I would highly recommend it. It appears to have stayed at the top of the charts, for quite awhile there. If you try with ones that may take awhile to either get going, or multiply, or reluctantly produce blooms, then you are more likely to get discouraged, instead of pleased or thrilled, that you got a particular one, just based solely on appearance of a certain Iris flower. Of course, that seems to be exactly why we want certain ones!

Monty: I think it's safe to say, you will surely see blooms this Spring. Probably not on every plant but many.
And good point...I never get rid of an Iris until I have decided for several seasons it needs a new home. For one thing, the blooms do change some as they mature, and they almost always get better looking.

ShawnSteve: Dusky Challenger has been on my want list for sometime. Some day it will make the buy list. I like when people highly recommend Irises because sometimes it pushes them onto my must have versus want list. And generally I am very pleased woth them once home in my garden

Elsa and Monty, if you remind me this summer I can send it to both of you.

Ok, I added it to my NGA database but I'll still need reminding.

I just got Dusky Challenger last year, and I am hoping for good things from it.

Dusky Challenger seems to grow everywhere except in my garden. It is the most popular iris in the US according to the AIS Symposium but it doesn't do well for me.

Andrea ~ for the tip! I'll report back in a year or two!

Barb: I would love that!!! And Yes, I can wait. I will tree mail you too so I will remember.

I shouldn't add this to this thread because I do love Dance Hall Dandy but it won't bloom every year.

AndreaD said:Dusky Challenger seems to grow everywhere except in my garden. It is the most popular iris in the US according to the AIS Symposium but it doesn't do well for me.

It doesn't grow here either. I'm willing to try it again in another spot, but just haven't ordered it yet.

I've pretty much given up on Dusky Challenger. There are a lot of other purple irises out there.

Dance Hall Dandy has beautiful contrasting colors!!!

GreenIris said:Dance Hall Dandy has beautiful contrasting colors!!!

Looking st my pictures, Dance Hall Dandy bloomed in 2015 and 2016, but hasn't since. I can put one of those in your summer box too if you want me too. Just let me know.
Hippie and Andrea do you want me to send you some DC too?

AndreaD said:I've pretty much given up on Dusky Challenger. There are a lot of other purple irises out there.

Try Rosalie Figge. She is beautiful, very fragrant, very vigorous here, and always reblooms like a champ!! She greets us every time we walk out the front door.

iciris said:
Looking st my pictures, Dance Hall Dandy bloomed in 2015 and 2016, but hasn't since. I can put one of those in your summer box too if you want me too. Just let me know.
Hippie and Andrea do you want me to send you some DC too?

I would love that.