That is a good question Sherry. I am always planning on adding irises (in much smaller quantities than this year) to my garden. When I prepare a bed I usually plan for it to be as big as the space allows then I never plan to fill it completely. That way my bed is ready when my order comes and I always have room for 'tuck ins' as they come along. I live in a climate where we trade iris into November. If I get one that late I usually pot it and bring it in overnight if we are threatened with a hard freeze. The newly potted irises spend the winter in the warmest part of my garden. most of them bloom in the spring and they are incorporated into the appropriate beds during the time I move/transplant the other irises. I look at any fence, walkway, building, ridge as the place to plant a row of irises.
As far as how I make selections for my garden, I work at the State Capitol beds with the CAIS and we have just short of 200 varieties, I tour the three large iris gardens in central AR as well as visit the gardens of other gardeners during iris bloom. This way I see a lot of irises close up and keep a list of what I want by looks and what grows best here.... the rest of my selections are made purely on the oooohhhh, aaaahhh, factor. This site has been very helpful in growing my lists. And, as my favorites are dwarfs I do not discriminate in their color or their temperament I just get 'em and grow 'em. Then there are the gifts, plant swaps, trades online and just people showing up with an iris saying you will love this one. I never turn one down as they are probably right. smiles
Unfortunately, I do not have the space I desire to have all the irises I NEED so I have to be creative with my gardening.
