Hey Cowgirl, You might try the following growers: Cooley's, Schreiner's, Malevil, Woodland Iris Gardens, Mid-America, Iris Greens, and Snowpeak. They all have a website and you can email them with questions. Also, if you go to the American Iris Society, they have some growers listed in their Links, as well as growing information. Happy Googling and Happy to help, Val Walker

It's very sweet of you to want to gift your boyfriend with more irises. Since you are in, I assume, zone 4 Vermont, you would do best to purchase irises from a cold climate iris grower, NOT from a website that sells them as fall bulbs, two to a package. First of all, bearded irises are not bulbs. Secondly, irises should be planted as early in the season as possible in zone 4 to allow them adequate time to root in before winter. I am in zone 3b in northern MN, and I make a point of getting my irises in the ground no later than Aug. 15, preferably even before the end of July. Thirdly, you will get the freshest, best quality plants from a commercial iris grower, NOT a general plant nursery.

Go to the page I have linked below and look through the commercial iris listings. Locate sellers in areas with cold winters. Their irises will more quickly and successfully acclimate to your climate than those from warm winter areas.

Two of the darkest irises that have proven themselves tough enough to handle my severe climate are Holy Night and Hollywood Nights, so keep an eye out for them.

The link I am providing will not only list commercial growers but also websites with vast amounts of information on growing various types of irises. It's a great starting point for your research.

Happy irising,

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: AIS links

Thank you ladies so much!!! I appreciate your help! The cold climate thing makes much sense to me and I will investigate that route. Vermont has been a funny place lately though, not terribly cold until late winter if at all. Thanks again!

Kelly

I'm back. I've taken a look at Snowpeak and have found a few varieties that caught my eye. But now I have a few more questions (do you ladies absolutely hate rookies?).

How many of each variety do I purchase to begin with? How many varieties is too many? Also, are some types not going to work well in my zone and how do I find this out?

Thanks!

No, we don't hate rookies. We LOVE rookies because that's how we spread the word about our iris passion!

The numbers of each variety you purchase depends on the effect you want in the garden. If the cultivar survives and thrives in your location, though, a single rhizome should grow into a decent clump within a couple of years. Note my use of the word "if". Zone 4 can be a difficult climate for some irises, especially modern tall beardeds. In my zone 3b garden, I have quit adding TBs to my beds simply because they have such a high mortality rate for me. I have much greater success with the dwarf and median bearded classes. For that reason, if you decide you do want to purchase modern TBs, I recommend purchasing only one rhizome of each cultivar so that you won't lose too much if a particular cultivar just can't handle your growing conditions.

How many varieties is too many? Most of us here will tell you that there is no such thing as too many irises. In a more practical sense, however, you just have to determine how much garden space you have available to dedicate to irises, bearing in mind that rhizomes should be planted 18-24" apart to give them room to grow and expand. If you grow the dwarf irises, you can plant them 12" apart and pack more of them into the same space.

The best source of information regarding the specific irises which are likely to perform well in your area will come from your nearest iris club. You can locate your nearest club along with their contact info at the link below. Most clubs also hold rhizome sales each year which would be a great place to pick up irises already acclimated to your climate.

Laurie

Here is a link that might be useful: AIS Region 1 clubs

The local club may be Capital-Hudson in Albany. That's Region 2. They usually have a big rhizome sale around the beginning of August. When I've been there, it's been at Crossgates Mall.

Because of the local rot problems, the usual recommendations are for medians and historics.