I agree Skybird--Pinterest can be really misleading. The labels on the pics are only as accurate as the person adding the pic or saving it to their lists. I swear I'm going to take pictures of all of my irises, lilies and peonies this spring so I can have a ready reference with what they really look like in my garden....

I buy from Iris4U almost every year - Bob is a local treasure and supporting him is a must for me!

I have a lot of iris in different colors but I'm not dividing until July or August. I'll put up a list when I get some time to see what I have enough of but there's a pretty wide variety of colors - I know I have black, orange, orchid/lavender, white, pink, copper, yellow, and several types of purples (including Bob's own "Queen's Ransom").

Will post more later!

And Skybird, I have a ruffly one called "Habit" that has amazing branching and blooms, it's very similar to the one pictured above:

http://www.iris4u.com/habit.html

Let me know if that interests you. :)

You can place an order right there at the garden - they don't stop and dig while you wait, though! They'll either ship the plants to you when they divide them (July-ish) or you can pick them up there and have no shipping charges (which I do, because I'm a cheapskate).

amester - Thanks for the info on Iris4U. I think I've been there eons ago and will have to take another excursion in May. I'd love to be on your iris list when you divide. The 'Habit' is beautiful!

Amy, that one, 'Habit', is absolutely AMAZING! If you have a little piece of rhizome I'd love to get that one started! I have NO idea where I'd put it, but I'll find a place! No need to put it in a pot or anything, just a little piece of rhizome--with or without eyes! I'll make it work! I'm a Purple Person, and that's INCREDIBLE!

Skybird

~~~~~ DIGGING, DIVIDING, AND GIVING AWAY IRIS! ~~~~~

Tomatoz, I remembered somebody asking if they could dig up Iris right before the swap and if they could be blooming and just went back and found the post on the first swap thread and the person asking was you! Since this is about Iris and you're posting on this thread where you'll see it, I'm gonna post an answer here!

Yes, with Iris you CAN dig up pieces of rhizome a day or two before the swap and don't need to put them in soil in pots at all. Iris are one of the few things that are so easy that way. The individual "bunches" of foliage are called "fans," so all you need to do is cut off a big enough piece of the rhizome to have a single fan (or more than one) on it and put it in a plastic bag to keep it from dehydrating too much, tho they last a long time out of soil even if they're "unprotected!" When you're digging them up, it's good if you try to keep as many roots attached as you can--that'll make it easier for it to get established in it's new home. But even if the piece of rhizome doesn't have ANY roots, it will still root out in the ground when it's planted--it'll just take longer for it to get going!

One thing that's pretty important, tho, that you asked about, is if the rhizomes/fans can be blooming when you dig them. With Iris, after a specific "part" of a rhizome blooms that entire fan will die! I'm not sure if the place along the rhizome where that fan is/was completely dies too, but it will not bloom in that specific place again! (I'm pretty sure it does actually die because if you watch a plant over the years, the "center" will gradually "die out" and the new growth and blooms will be toward the "outside" of the plant--like so many other perennials!) By the time it's finished blooming the rhizome has grown "longer" and that's where the fans and flowers for subsequent years will be formed. So IF you were to dig up a very small piece of the rhizome that's blooming, just barely big enough to have the fan on it, it's possible that it might not "keep going" after it finishes blooming. Better to look for pieces of rhizome around the "edges" of the plant that aren't blooming this year (and it would be easier to get them off of the plant too!)

Having said that, if you were to dig them before they're starting to bud/bloom and put them in pots, and THEN they bloom before you give them away, odds are that by the time they bloom in the pots they'll already be rooted well enough for the rhizome to be starting to grow, and then, even tho that fan will die after it blooms, the plant should be growing well enough for it to keep going and be growing new rhizome for future years. The Iris I put in pots to give away this year have been rooting/growing since late February and early March, and I have no doubt that if some of them bloom in the pots they'll still be "good plants" for the people that get them!

So if you're gonna be digging up pieces of rhizome just a day or two before the swap, look for pieces that aren't already blooming or budding, or else get big enough pieces that there's enough rhizome--or a second non-blooming fan on the rhizome--so the person getting them will for sure have a viable plant when it finishes blooming.

If any of that doesn't make any sense to you--or anybody else--just ask!

Skybird

P.S. I didn't put this anywhere above, but if you've never dug/divided them before: When you're digging up pieces of rhizome, dig enough to "loosen" them and then take a SHARP scissors or knife and cut the rhizome off where you're going to "separate" it from the plant (you want a "clean" cut). You can either try to cut the pieces the size you ultimately want them to be, or you can cut off longer pieces of rhizome and then cut them into smaller pieces after it's out of the ground.

Thanks for responding, Skybird. I most likely will dig the red iris right before the swap, though I may dig up a few this week and pot them up. Right now they're only 3-4" tall and will be easy to dig up. I'm hoping to have multiple rhizomes for each pot. Now to find pots!!

For the record, 'Habit' has standards that are more lavender than white...if you want that white standard for contrast, look elsewhere! Otherwise I have plenty to share. :)

Here's a better photo as far as color goes:

https://www.schreinersgardens.com/habit

Let me see how the ones in the backyard are doing tomorrow and I'll report back with a full list!

If I feel brave I might dig some before the swap...I was just raised on 'NEVER dig until summer dormancy' so I'm really gun shy!

Otherwise, Conace and tomatoz1. I live at C-470 and Broadway - I'm sure we can figure something out!

"For the record, 'Habit' has standards that are more lavender than white..."

Yes! I would love the two toned Habit. I can wait until you're more comfortable dividing them in August. I have so many red ones, that I can chance digging a few of them up early.

Amy, that second pic you posted is even better than the first!!! I LOVE it! If you have one to give away at some point, I'd love to have one.

It's interesting that you dig yours to give away in fall, I almost always do it in spring! This year I had some growing into other things, which is why I decided to pot some. In the one place the "ruffly lavender" one I have was growing into some dafs, and I was able to get them out quite easily by just "loosening" the rhizomes, cutting them from the main plant, and "pulling" the roots out of the soil from between the daf bulbs--yeah, the soil was fairly wet. By fall most of mine have mites--in spite of repeated soap baths!--and I don't like to even work around them!

Works either way, so spring or fall way works for me!

Skybird

Tomatoz, if you have enough to put several pieces of rhizome in
each pot (if you pot some up) go for it, but if you don't have that
many, just a piece or two is enough for somebody to get a new plant
started, and in a year it should be a pretty nice "small" plant, and by
the year after a "really nice" plant! So if you don't have a "lot,"
don't feel like you need to decimate yours to get "enough" to give away.
The ones I put in pots this spring are in 3.5" pots and there are two
pieces of rhizome in each pot, so you can tell they're not very big!

ALSO, I checked, and I didn't mention this above! When you're planting them in soil--pot or the ground--the top of the rhizome needs to be exposed on the top of the soil. If the entire rhizome is buried in the soil it will probably grow, but may very possibly not bloom! So when you put them in soil lay the rhizome "sideways" on the soil and cover it just enough that the top is still visible on the surface of the soil.

Skybird

Okay....I do have a lot of them, I guess I never considered "in ground" dividing! I'll give it a shot. Two "Habit" divisions, coming up!

Love this thread! Love Irises! I just noticed today how many buds I have on my purple ones - many more than there have ever been. If anyone likes this particular color (sorry, do not know the name), I do have plenty to share. I am now a little nervous about digging some up since they all seem to be actively blooming - but will try to follow Skybirds advice if anyone wants at the spring swap. Otherwise, will plan on bringing some to fall swap. I have a really dark purple (almost black), a two tone red/tan, and a red/mauve, both with wonderful scents, that I may have enough to share as well.

I have a few other colors (yellow, lavendar, white, red), and tried to take pics last year to remind myself which ones are where. May not have enough to share of those just yet.

I'd love to have some additional colors - your blue and white catnohat and amester are spectacular! As well as your fire orange, gardenchloe! If you have a little extra, would be wonderful. Liz - I'll have to look up the varieties of yours you listed to see what they look like - I'm sure they are amazing. Wow, so many!!! Kudos to you for keeping track of all the names!

Here's my purples with lots of buds (these are bigger than they may look in the pic - not dwarfs. Those are somewhat large rocks next to them):

This may give a bit better perspective:

Here's my Jungle Princess (pic from previous year, it's not blooming yet. Really big blooms):

Here is my red (big blooms):

And my Midnight Fragrance (not a dwarf, but smaller blooms):

Mstywoods, I put the tags out there so I CAN keep track of them, unfortunately I find far too many of the markers lying off to the side from where the deer knock them out and drag them away! I'll be taking pictures of mine as they bloom as well, we should have a pretty big trade going on by the fall swap at the latest!

Wow, what a bunch of lovely irises! I've always meant to have some, but the sheer variety and hybridization has always intimidated me for some reason. Is there a recommended cultivar that's "bulletproof" for an iris newbie in 5a?

P.S. Skybird -- If Pinterest pics have taken over your Google images feed, all you have to do is type in your search term, then type in a MINUS sign *right next* to the term you want to exclude from that search; in this case, Pinterest. So it would look like this in the search box: Irises -Pinterest

Best,

L

WOW! Thanks for that, Laura! Never knew that! I just tried it and it WORKS! Wow!

ANY German Iris you get is gonna be pretty much bulletproof if you be sure to plant them with the rhizome exposed on the surface of the soil like I explained above. Get a couple at this or the next swap and give them a try. In addition to being beautiful, they're all fragrant--at least all the ones I have are--each one has a slightly different scent, like roses!

Thanks again for the "how to lose pinterest" info,

Skybird

Not at all, Skybird! The internet is getting more and more complicated; so glad to help. :)

I'll be looking into German irises for sure, then. Thanks again for all your much-needed expertise!

Best,

L

Hi, Laura - most tall bearded iris are bulletproof as long as they don't get too wet - that's about the only thing that will do them in. I've found rhizome pieces in my garage that languished for months in a paper bag and still planted up just fine.

I'll have to take a closer look at mine, some have grown together and I'm not sure where some stop and start! :)

Haha, Amester! I've loved irises since I was a kid -- especially the old fashioned dark purple ones that smelled like SweetTart candies. (Iris pallida?) They used to be a lot more common up here in Fort Collins in the 1980s...almost standard. I'm quite excited about adding a few to my garden. No idea why I've avoided them for so long. I guess I was worried that I didn't have the space when they grew out -- but that's what swaps are for, right? :)

Exactly! We call them 'grape bubblegum' iris, I LOVE the smell and have them if you'd like some. Mine are more lavender than dark purple, though...let me know. :)

Sorry that I have gone missing for a bit. Here I am! Not long after I started this thread, I went out and potted up some of the Royal Storm iris that I have. The rhizomes were a lot bigger then I thought they would be. I only managed 3 pots. So the first three people who said they wanted them might be all I can manage right now. On the plus side, they are sending up blooms in the pots! Perhaps I can dig another one or two today. If not, I will try to get some to the other interested folks in the fall or next spring. I really am just catching the iris obsession!

So cat, are you coming to the spring swap? Just needed to know if I should bring the ones I promised you to this swap or if you want them in the fall instead....

As they bloom this year I'd like to start a string of iris pictures as they bloom for possible trades, to be done during the late summer or by our fall trade at the latest. I have several clumps coming up that can be divided but aren't marked, think the deer accidentally drag off some of my tags! Anyone else in?

I'm in, Lizbest! I'd love to trade some iris, and have been following the thread, but I have no idea what colors are where in my yard. Your idea will give me a chance to photograph and tag them all so I can join the trade once they go dormant later this summer.

I'm in too, please! :)

I'm in for an iris swap in July or August. Then we can divide and share close to the same time and have the beds ready for the new iris.

Can't wait for them to bloom and then I'll be sure which colors are where for sure.

I'm in too!

Summer would be better for me as well. I did map my new acquisitions a couple of years ago, but need to track my backyard ones this year so I'll know what I have.

This will be so much fun!

Hi Amester -- Oh, yes, please I'd love a sample of "grape bubblegum" iris. Thankyou so much!! :)

I have one of those grape smelling ones, was described to me as grape Kool-Aid smelling by the woman who talked me into buying it! Definitely a grape smell...Kool-Aid or bubblegum, take your pick! Mine is light colored as well, the main reason I got it was the variegated foliage. It's the only iris I have with that feature.

I should be able to make it to the fall swap. I have a few iris potted up already that I will bring to the Spring swap most likely.

Haven't ordered from this place but the feedback on her Facebook page is good. http://www.curriesdaylilyfarm.com/irises.php

Iris swap? I'm starting to dig up/divide my iris to make room for more. Is anyone up to trading this summer? I know iris will keep well for a month or more after dividing, so I'm hoping to trade (get rid of) a few of mine. Most of them have ID tags, but a few don't.

Definitely up for it! Also looks like there is some type of iris thing going on at one of the nurseries in Colorado Springs this coming Friday, trying to get more info. I'll post if it sounds interesting....

July 28 – July 29

Jul 28 at 9 AM to Jul 29 at 3 PM

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Join us for a two day event in partnership with the Elmohr Iris Society on Friday, July 28th, from 9 am- 5 pm, and Saturday, July 29th, from 9 am- 3 pm! There will be information, products, expert Iris gardeners and of course, IRISES! Unique varieties and plenty of expertise to help with your most difficult questions!

This event is FREE, and open to all! See you there!

Jumped on Facebook and what do I see? I'm off on Fridays so will be going, let me know if anyone else is. Can meet in Parker and caravan, would say carpool but I'm stuck in a 2 seater for a while....

Aaargh! I'm NOT off on Fridays! Booooooo...we had a member here who did that and brought a pile to one of the swaps. Have fun!

I'm up for a swap, I really need a motivator to get out there and get my poor iris divided. They are so far past due it's just depressing!

Still can't host but let me know when and where, I should have a decent amount to contribute. :)

Our iris got hit hard (along with our house) by the hail storm in May. so my trade would be more of a grab bag. I had some double color white and lilac iris along with some dark purple on a few but I don't know which are which.

Amester, we'll have to ride together if it's up north! Much more fun with company! So I had a happy accident with my iris. I have a large bed of tall white bearded that is SSSOOOOOO DDDDUUUUULLLLLLLLLL!!! Decided to intersperse some allium in the bed to add a pop of color to that sea of white. Iris bloomed this year, saw NOTHING of the alliums. The iris quit blooming and I started actively ignoring that bed because it needs to be divided so badly (I'll be bringing a LOT of those to this swap!). Started weeding a while back and guess what finally bloomed? My alliums! Never realized their bloom time varied so much. I'll have to add some more that are earlier blooming to the bed once it's cleaned out. Here's what they looked like today. I think it'll be very pretty once they multiply!

Catnohat--don't forget I still owe you an iris division from the spring swap. I don't remember which one it was but I do remember that the rhizomes overlapping so much that I couldn't pull any from the edges...I'll check back on the spring trade lists and make sure I save that one for you.

Aloha, do you want some of that hyssop as well? I can do several pots if you're attending. You have my sympathy on the hail damage, ours was 3 years ago. That 35 year roof lasted 7 years, crazy, huh?

I dug up the bed in the pic above today--there are easily 200+ rhizomes in there. I think there were 30 places there 5 years ago when it was last divided. Hope someone wants a lot of white bearded iris....

Catnohat,

Will you be attending the swap? I'd like to save some orange iris for you.

Liz,

I was motivated to divide my orange iris because you divides yours. I have to say I am not good at dividing iris at all but my yard does look so much better now. After keeping some for myself and giving some to my aunt, I will still have 50+ rhizomes to share. As soon as Chloe saw me dividing my iris, she asked if I was planning on seeing popmama and Ms Liz.

I hope she said it in anticipation of seeing us rather than dread of another day of plant talk! Your Chloe is a sweetie! Only children tend to be more mature than others their age and enjoy hanging with adults. My daughter used to go pretty much everywhere that I did but always balked at the outdoor and gardening related, unfortunately....

Thank you, Liz. Let's set a date as you and I have the rhizomes divided already. I can't meet on Saturday August 5th but other days in the next couple of weekends should work.

Another question, how do I keep the rhizomes fresh until we meet? Do I need to keep them in a dark and moist spot?

From what I've read it's suggested to let them dry out for a few days then store them in a cool, dry place. I plan to put mine in the basement storage room, should be fine for the couple of weeks before we can trade. My Saturdays are quickly filling up through August so I'm really hoping we can do it on a Sunday...

Thank you! Sundays will work better for me as well. 13th, 20th and 27th will all work.

Sundays are not the best for me, but will work out something. I have at least 5 different varieties to share. I have obligations on the 6th and 20th but can get replacements if need be.

Would the 13th work for most? I'm willing to drive up north if it makes it easier and we can meet in a park or whatever and can do any time that works. If Sundays don't work for most though I can just pass my divisions to someone to share before....

I think Sundays are best as well, so for me basically any Sunday in August works. Faith was talking about hosting the swap on the other thread - will post there to see if she still wants to. Otherwise, a park sounds great. Shall we skip the potluck for this in-between swap and reserve that fun for our Spring and Fall Swaps?

mstywood,

i posted in the other thread that I helped my nextdoor neighbor divide her soft yellow iris this evening. I will be taking them to the swap for her. I think she would like to have some purple ones if you have dug some up.

Thank you!