I've just bought my first bearded Iris from Schreiners. Can you tell me a little about any of them? Fragrance, amount of bloom, ease of growing, repeat (if any) etc. I like the high centered frilly ones, and these look like that's what they are. They are: Hollywood Nights, Cafe Bleu, and Batik. Thank You.........Maryl

I have Hollywood Nights and it's a great grower. I don't remember if it is fragrant or not. But the good news is that you can look them all up in the data base and get more information about them then you may want. good luck with them! We'll want to see the pictures of any blooms when you bloom for you.

Thanks Tom. I looked them up on the data base. Hollywood Nights is supposed to have a "sweet" fragrance. I guess I will find out for myself if they make it over winter. Nice to know that Hollywood Nights is a good grower.........Appreciate any input I can get...........Maryl

Batik grows well for me. I think I remember a slight fragrance.

Yes, please, on pictures!

And to our little iris patch. You'll meet lots of great folks here.

Thank You Celia. Nice to be welcomed. The main reason I even ordered was because I saw Batik years ago for sale at Ace Hardware (of all places) and fell in love. I passed on buying it then, but have never forgotten it. Appreciate your comment about it........Maryl

Can't help with info on the specific iris you ordered but wanted to welcome you to the iris forum..

Maryl said:I saw Batik years ago for sale at Ace Hardware (of all places) and fell in love.

Haha. I was at a discount store and saw Batik and Musician among other bulbs for $3.99 each. The label said "bulbs" and the planting instructions were for tulips! The rhizomes were quite desiccated. I bought one of each anyway, and I think they're surviving. There's just the barest hint of green shoots. Doubt they will bloom next year, but it would be amazing to see them grow.

Maryl & Tienito
I really enjoyed my bloom of Clarence earlier this year. The rebloomers need more water and nutrients I have read on this forum. I was gone most of this summer and didn't baby mine.
Maryl, bearded Iris have a variety of perfume in different strengths from none, slight, pronounced. They are also very hardy here. I hope they do well in your area.

Good Luck Tiento with your "rescue" purchase. Some plants can be amazing with their recuperative powers, while others, despite all the babying one can give them, turn toes up for no reason.........I just found out that Cafe Bleu is listed as a repeater. I'm sure that's not set in concrete but it would be nice. The only Iris I grow now is the variegated Iris, Pallida. It's been an easy care plant for me for decades. I hope the bearded Irises aren't much harder to grow....Btw: Pallida doesn't have very much scent at all, so just about any moderately fragrant Iris will be an improvement ......Maryl

Tienito said:

Haha. I was at a discount store and saw Batik and Musician among other bulbs for $3.99 each. The label said "bulbs" and the planting instructions were for tulips! The rhizomes were quite desiccated. I bought one of each anyway, and I think they're surviving. There's just the barest hint of green shoots. Doubt they will bloom next year, but it would be amazing to see them grow.

Now your next hurdle with box store irises is that you can hope you got the right cultivars. Many times what you get is not what's on the box. But at least if they live you know it's an iris! Welcome to the thread of the iris virus! Hang around here long and you'll be planting many of them!

And in case you are wondering what the "Iris Virus" is;

The thread "Symptoms of 'Iris Virus"" in Irises forum

Welcome to the wonderful world of Iris.

Blessings

to the iris forum!

....and *sssshhhhh John and Tom! They will learn about iris addi... admiration(!) soon enough!

It may be surprising if it turns out to be the correct plant. We are glad that y ou are joining us & of they turn out to be the wrong plant, we can help you find the correct one. To see a photo goo to irises.org (American iris Society) & look on the left had side t the bottom where it says iris Encyclopedia. click on it & look through the Tall bearded irises. Some parts of the alphabet are slow to load. For Batik look under border bearded irises.

I have batik. This next spring will be its 3rd season. Great grower for me in Michigan.

tveguy3 said:

Welcome to the thread of the iris virus! Hang around here long and you'll be planting many of them!

This is my first year growing irises. It started with a clump that my mother in law was getting rid of. Now I've read books, follow internet forums, have bearded, louisiana, siberian and species irises... and can check off quite a few of the symptoms on that list. Help!

Well, Tienito, you are correct about the virus. You have aptly described how it takes hold of a person and consumes them. You started with a clump...... Next came written materials on the subject, connecting with like minded people on the internet, collecting several different kinds .... I expect you will be making your own within a few years.

Batik is a good grower, a bit short; and I finally eliminated it from the garden this Summer/Fall to make room for something new.

Thanks everyone for their comments on Batik and others. Greg: I plan on potting up Batik so it being on the short side may actually be an advantage. Glad to hear it grows well for you Linda. Encouraging words......I should receive my fans next week. Since I've not done this before, can anyone tell me if I need to soak the roots before planting (as you do a daylily)?...........Maryl

Unless they are very freshly dug, soaking is a good idea - just the roots, not the whole rhizome.

Thanks Lilli. I needed this information. Anyone else have any tips for potting a new Iris that I might not think about, please feel free to chime in..........Maryl