Since you haven't seen any TBs, maybe they don't grow in La Paz because of the elevation and climate. I see it is 43 feet above sea level and near the end of the Baja peninsula.

I planted irises at Guanajuato, Mexico, in the seventies when I visited some friends of mine. Guanajuato is over 10,000 feet.

I saw no irises on the Gulf side at lower elevations.

Walter Moores

Generally there is a line where TB's don't do: south of San Deigo, Tucson, south of Dallas, Shreveport, Birmingham, Atlanta. They have been known to "do" at the 3000 ft. elvation in Hawaii, and Jack Craig has grown them at the 5000 ft. elavation in Indonsia when Louisianas act like everbloomers and PCI grow waist high but won't bloom!

That line of demarcation you mention roughly follows Interstate Highway 20, but there are lots of places south of that line where there is success with bearded irises. The American Iris Society has its '08 convention in Austin, Texas, which is probably over 200 miles south of the line. I don't know how many iris gardens are in Austin proper, but the hill country is nearby and irises should do well there.

Walter Moores

WEll, I think its still worth a shot, if Darren wants to plant some as an experiment, what the heck?
As for his question as to where to get them and how:
If I were you, Darren, I would go to the AIS website, go to the links section and look at the huge list of commercial growers. You could email a whole bunch and ask if they would ship to you. Some may, and I am sure some won't do it. I do know that rhizomes usually require a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin. I don't know about other things like bulbs, and I think seeds may be exempt.
Laetitia

Here is a link that might be useful: AIS

I see that La Paz is at 24 degrees N. latitude. IÂm in Honolulu at 22 degrees N. latitude, nearly sea level, and IÂm trying to grow some reblooming bearded iris. But it hasnÂt been long enough to tell if they will bloom without a cold season. I also have a few Louisiana iris, and IÂve heard from two growers that they bloom here.

Hawaii:
So the beardeds are growing in Hawaii but have not yet bloomed? I am intrigued. Please keep us posted.
Thanks,
Laetitia

I just noticed that BlueJ will send iris to Mexico.
Darren: If you are still looking for a source, check out BlueJ iris under the section 'International Orders' and you will see they will indeed send there...for the cost of shipping and a phytosanitary certificate that they will take care of. While they are not shipping this time of year, they will be taking orders in January for 2007.
Laetitia

Here is a link that might be useful: Blue J Iris