By now, some of us have gotten the new catalog - and the online catalog will hopefully show up soon.
Barry Blyth includes a sheet with his observations on the collaboration between
Tempo Two and Mid-America gardens,re: shipping from Australia to the U.S. He and
Tom Johnson have worked out all the details to make it possible for us to afford his fabulous creations. I'm grateful! It was a smooth experience for me. The exchange rate
works in our favor too.

What are your favorites this year?

I am seriously afraid to look.

So do you order from Tempo Two with a note to send them to Mid-America?

I believe you contact Tempo Two directly and then they handle all of the US stuff as far as Mid-America sending along the boxes.

May need to share an order with someone. Most of those I want are medians that aren't available in the states. And some more dragons....

I think the shipping is reasonable Leslie since they send all of the US orders at the same time to Mid-America. The more people that order, the less the cost per person.

Leslie - yes, you order directly from Barry in Australia. They're on a different growing time zone, so they deliver to Tom Johnson in Oregon, in February. The orders come to Mid-America in separate boxes, with the customer's name on it - all in a larger container. The more customers' boxes in the container, the cheaper the shipping from Australia. When it gets to Mid-America in the U.S. ,Tom re-addresses each box and sends them out. He has an Ag permit so we don't each have to pay that high fee.
I think I got that right. You do, initially, pay Barry for your irises.

I know there seasons are the opposite of ours. It explains why they so often bloom the first time in the fall. My order would be relatively small so that is why I considering sharing an order. Otherwise my cost for maybe ten (not new intro) iris would be pricey even with the cheaper shipping.

I really wish more US vendors would carry Blyth medians. Most only bring in the talls, which is a shame because Blyth has created some amazing BB's (think Thundery), IB's and SDB's.

Leslie I have SDB 'Dapper' which I could send next year. Barry really got the pink SDBs going which led up to 'Chanted.'

I'm still going through the catalogue - it's really hard to choose - by which I mean, of course, that it's really hard not to choose them all...

Hehe, I'm sure I'll feel the same way Mika. I have a list that I'm trying to stick with BUT I haven't seen the new catalog yet and I fear I may add on a bunch more. If I can add on over time before shipping I'll probably end up doing that.

irisarian said:Leslie I have SDB 'Dapper' which I could send next year. Barry really got the pink SDBs going which led up to 'Chanted.'

I would love that Lucy! Thank you.

Dachsylady86 said:Hehe, I'm sure I'll feel the same way Mika. I have a list that I'm trying to stick with BUT I haven't seen the new catalog yet and I fear I may add on a bunch more. If I can add on over time before shipping I'll probably end up doing that.

I thought the catalogue would be similar to last year's, but there are many irises in it that weren't offered last year, and others from last year that aren't being offered this year. I guess they're building stocks.
I really like that irises of hybridisers like Ghio and Keppel are included, because they're not so easy to find in Europe.
Like Jan I found the whole process of buying from Tempo Two exceptionally hassle-free and straightforward, and the cost was less than I thought it might be (that said, since sterling has plummeted since the Brexit vote, it will look more expensive this year). And the bonus, of course, was having iris blooms in mid summer.

The suspense is killing me!!

Les, I may want a Blythe intro...or 3

Good, we can plan a joint order!

Liz, I'm sure your garden is greatly anticipated.!

I'm choosing any new irises (not many - I'm running out of available dug space!) that are
early or early-mid. The later it gets here in Northern California, the dryer it gets. I have much better luck with the earlies.
I just looked up Thundery, and I agree, it's a beauty, but it's also Very Late.
Oh well, at least I'll be able to see others' photos!

Serious catalogue envy!

Jan - it is a very late one. Which isn't the greatest here in NC either because it gets too hot for it. But it is such a beauty when it blooms.