Laurie, the difference really is striking. Haunted Heart, for example, has foliage that's almost alien in its mass and curviness. I have it in a dry border with feather reed grass, echinacea, tall sedum, and yarrow, and it actually looks fine. I think that might be the key. It would look good in a xeric garden among rocks and cactuses. Ornamental grass goes well with it. In a normal mixed border, modern TBs look rather out of place, imo. As I mentioned in another thread, I'm culling my TBs to make room for smaller irises that mix better with other things and require less room.
lauriemorningglory said:I grew just a few older varieties (NoIDs) of TBs for a few years, and was really surprised when I started growing more modern TBs: how huge the iris leaves were. Haven't yet figured out how to "hide" the summer foliage.
