Liz, I'm sure your garden is greatly anticipated.!
I'm choosing any new irises (not many - I'm running out of available dug space!) that are
early or early-mid. The later it gets here in Northern California, the dryer it gets. I have much better luck with the earlies.
I just looked up Thundery, and I agree, it's a beauty, but it's also Very Late.
Oh well, at least I'll be able to see others' photos!
