Im a rose nut by trade, but recently irises have grabbed my attention and now I have a few questions for you, Iris people, who wouldn't mind indulging my curiosity? Are there any truly blue bearded Iris? Or are all the so called blues shades of purple? I've looked at numerous vendors pic's which appear to be blue but then in the comments sections buyers will say while it's a nice flower the bloom isn't blue. I am also interested in taller plants, I like to be dwarfed by them. Are there any particular cultivars known for being tall? The tallest I've seen looks to be 40" is that where they cap out? Are there issues with tall iris not blooming quickly or possibly snapping in the wind?
I live in a coastal zone 7B is there anyone in a similar zone that could name some of their favorite cultivars?

thanks everyone!!!

Welcome to the iris forum Rebekah! The only two TB's that I have had bloom truly blue is Absolute Treasure and Dodger Blue. I live in zone 7a. It is my understanding that there are a few more that bloom truly blue and I am growing a few waiting for my first blooms. As to being tall each cultivar has its hight listed in the database here. I find that irises with more substance, like ruffles, tend to be heavier and the stalks will need staking. A big bloom full of ruffles can be really heavy when rain soaked.

Thank you grannysgarden! I do love the ruffled blooms, I'll look up the two you recommended!

My avatar, 'Into the blue', is truly a light blue. People's cameras can make things look more lavender, and so will sunglasses. I placed a blue flax flower(medium blue) in the picture this year(my flowers were at half size due to extreme weather fluctuations where I live). I also have 'Devil's Lake' which is extra large flowered. It is half dark blue with blue beards and dark purple falls. Someone here has 'Alien Mist' which looks cool with light blue petals and a dramatic dark blue beard. Pictures can be looked up in the Iris database. Welcome too z

Your Into The Blue looks like a lovely blue iris Niki. I may give it a try to see how it does here. I grow Alien Mist and have heard it is a good blue one but here it has a bit of lavender in the blooms. It may be my soil that brings out the purple in irises.

I'm up for trading in the future Thank you, hopefully next year I will get to see my 'Absolute Treasure' bloom. I have a bad case of insomnia tonight. Look at this pumpkin I carved at a get together.

cool. i see an iris in the carving too'

Nice, Niki. One of the Halloween activities we have in our family is pumpkin carving. I have quite a few artists in the family and they make exceptional pumpkins. I will see if I can find pics.

I like sharing irises. I still have one for postage promised that will help me thin out a few but that will have to wait until next June.

Rebekah, one of the tallest ones I have is Au Sommet, one I imported from France. It's listed as being 42 inches tall, but I didn't measure mine. It's the tallest one in that bed for sure, and it seems to stay upright without support. This year we had a terrible wind storm during bloom season and it did bend over some so I supported it.

to the iris forum, Rebekah!!

I have researched true blue irises recently, because I am making a memorial bed to my grandmother, who loved all shades of blue. The only two, which people consistently report to bloom 'true blue' are Absolute Treasure and Dodger Blue, like Bonnie already mentioned. I am sure there are others, less well-known perhaps, which are also blue rather than purple, but these are the ones I have picked after reading through all the threads on blue irises I could find.

However, if you look into the smaller irises, you will find plenty of 'true blue' ones, especially among the 'dwarf's.

PS: I too have 'Alien Mist' and though it does look kind of soft blue from a distance, I agree with Bonnie that it has a distinct lilac hue to it:

Niki! That is one beautiful pumpkin!!

Yes, Bonnie! We want pumpkin pictures!

Halloween is still a relatively new thing here, but gaining popularity fast. So pumpkin carving is mostly very basic; two eyes, a nose and a mouth -with teeth if it has to be really artistic!




I found some really amazing pumpkin art last year, looking for inspiration via Google, and I guess I'll just have to get practising!

!

Hi Rebekah! to the Iris Forum!

I have several truly blue Irises. One that I've had for decades is Blue Reflection, and a more recent acquisition is Alien Mist. Both of these Irises are blue -- not lavender -- here in my soil. And that can make a difference.

Rebekah!

And another Rebekah

There's no cure. You've come to a terribly great enabling group. Your doomed, RUNNN!!!

There is an alternate treatment.

"Take two catalogues and call the vendors in the morning".

Blessings to you..

Rebekah!

Those are great jack-o-lanterns Niki and Lilli!

Welcome Rebekah. This group can be dangerous to your wallet! But fun anyway.

Sugar Blues [rebloomer] has a white beard, but petals are wisteria blue, about 36" in height. This picture shows color both in sun and shade. As noted the soil makes a difference in coloration also, acidity level mostly.

rebekah! wonderful folks on this iris forum, who will enable you to no end. but they are a fun, very knowledgeable group who will help in everyway they can.


dave, thank you for the specific information about acid in the soil! i will keep that in mind because of the high alkalinity in our soil. working on that to get the ph to neutral or slightly acidic.