1. You can keep notes for each of the iris you have in your plants listing that is in your profile on this site. I find it useful.
2. As for labeling, there was a recent discussion of that on this site. I am using galvanized plant labels ordered from Amazon, and I just took delivery on a new Brother P-Touch labelmaker that can use the new UV fade-resistant tape. My old P-Touch could not take the new fade-resistant tape. Just print out a label on the P-Touch and stick it to the galvanized plant label. I now also print out a second tape, to place right below the name tape, showing year planted and the nursery that sent it.
3. I only buy what I can fit into my small yard's garden, along with other types of plants. Some people have a lot more room, and some here are even growing them for sale. Because my lot is small and I don't favor making it look like a farm, I limit what I buy, generally, to ones that are either high on the annual TB popularity poll, or which have won Dykes awards, Wister awards, or both.
4. I have a small, separate "hots" garden for colors that I don't think will go well with my other iris colors. In my hots garden, which I'll be planting this July, I'll be alternating my hots, with near-blacks. I have chosen all those with the view that I want them all to bloom at the same time, so they are all mid-season bloomers.
5. I was unable to find a Tim, or a Zoe, but I did find a Dolores. Dolores was introduced in about 1920, and so would not have modern features, even if you could find it, which I doubt. Apparently she was not much liked, for there is not a single photo of her in the iris database. Frankly, (though I know there are people here who will disagree) I think choosing a iris for its name is not a good idea. If you want to give someone a real treat, choose one that you think is beautiful. There are lists of medal winners at the American Iris Society web site. There is also the annual tall beardeds popularity poll on that site, too. Googling an iris name, together with the word "iris" and then switching your browser to images will give you a good idea as to whether the iris is one you think your friends will deem pretty. The award winners are also more likely to thrive in a majority of the country's gardens.
Try starting with Absolute Treasure. Your friends and relatives ARE after all, absolute treasures, right? And this one is true to its name.
