I have been digging for a sale next Saturday and have been looking at clumps with decent, large rhizomes--which is what the public wants. They won't buy the peanuts except in a grab bag of five or so.

I have noticed a few things while digging and sweating.

From Keppel, I have dug only from the dark top line because they are husky. The others (selfs and plics) are small.

From Ghio, the only really big rhizomes are in the Revere clump. The rest are a struggle to keep going.

Anything you can name from Black is huge.

All Kerr's are nice and plump.

Ditto for Superstition.

I have nothing from Schreiner that is big enough to attract customers even though I have two and three year clumps. I won't dig any. I do have a sizeable two year fan or two, but they are too new to take to a sale. I hope they are the same size next year.

Cooley's are a shade bigger. Ring Around Rosie and Spouting Horn are big.

Most of the little hybridizers you never heard of are all huge.

I have an incredible clump of Edge of Eden by Ed Roberts I got from Superstition I refuse to dig from because I am too greedy to keep it all for myself. Ever hear of Ed Roberts??? If you don't know this iris, you should put it on your want list today for next year. It looks similar to Keppel's 06 intro of Restless Heart, but it has more pink. And, it cost $7!!!!!!

These are observations from just one garden in MS and are not intended to be a slam to anyone.

Walter Moores