Arlyn, I think you are absolutely right. I am always hearing of people searching for irises that are now considered extinct. I think people were so used to their irises surviving in almost any conditions that they treated the newer ones the same way and they did not withstand the neglect. When my irises are subjected to weather extremes and drought and I cannot seem to nurture them all through it, it is the old historics that come back the next year and put on a show. Here is a photo of a pale lavender iris that I think can withstand anything and come back better.
Keep the rescues going!
