My husband and I moved into our house in 1989 - it has been in his family since 1905. There were iris leaves coming up all over the garden, not blooming because in the shade, and too crowded, I think. My FIL called them "My Grandmother's flags". Anyway, I dug up some of them and replanted them in the sun. Medium tall bearded, in a lovely glowing deep purple with red tones. Eventually I identified them - Crimson King (Barr, 1893). So, they could truly have been planted in our garden by my DH's great grandparents, who were avid gardeners.

My question is about when they bloom. Consistently, for the past 25 years, they have bloomed in my garden in the winter. They are doing it again - just started blooming in the past 2 weeks, all over the garden. They usually bloom until about March/April, and then stop. Does anyone else grow this iris? Any idea why it blooms consistently in the Wintertime? I like it, but am curious.

Jackie