Hmmm. Sounds like a tough ID. No photos, huh? I think most bearded irises are from the Mediterranean region, but it is possible you have an Aril iris. You should look at the website and see if anything looks right to you.
Renee

Here is a link that might be useful: Aril Iris Society

I don't think it's an Aril iris- I didn't see any really white ones. It may be what some people call "cemetery iris".

Cemetary iris (iris albicans) is the first or second of the intermediates or tall bearded iris to bloom in the spring, & the bloom is an old-fashioned (not fancy) one.

They are notoriously tough.

There's a huge clump of them at a long-vacant, falling-down cabin or barn between Dallas & Red Oak, the newer ones growing out of the ground on top of the older ones, & they bloom beautifully every year.

Thank you both for your replies. I believe the iris is the I. albicans. They have really been suffering down here this year. The drought is probably the reason I only got one bloom (- 7 inches of rain for the year and counting) as they have bloomed better for me in the past. These are the only iris I have been able get to survive at all. Could not even get the foliage to survive on the other bearded types I have tried since the move. Had a backyard of bearded iris up in Fort Worth so have tried several times to get some to grow.
Thank goodness for the daylily...
Barb

Barb, I'll ask my friend Walter what he grows- he's in your neck of the woods. He may be able to give me the names of a few tough survivors.
Renee