Iris were my first love and I always come back to them too. The heat and drought this summer killed off so many of my expensive daylilies, while the roses and iris held their own. I had around 200 hostas at the beginning of summer and I think most are dormant, not dead. Typical collector, I went through a hibiscus phase also and the heat killed the tropical ones so this winter I'm not bringing in nearly as many pots. The hardy hibiscus couldn't bloom in the extreme heat, but they stayed alive. The hoyas that I summer outdoors look great and they always earn their prime spot indoors for the winter. I only added around 100 iris this year, which sounds like a lot, but it was the worst gardening year ever. In a way it's comforting to know which plants will always be there for me when i can't take care of them--and they are the plants you see at abandoned farmsteads--the iris, daffodils, peonies and an occasional rose. In re-thinking my landscape to accomodate extreme weather and less physical stamina on my part, I see iris as my most treasured plant. Next year I plan to add many more as I take out daylilies and other water hungry perennials. I can't wait to see Dee's list for next year!
