SPECIAL AGENT MAN (Black ’24)
TB Midseason-late 35” (89cm)
Sweet fragrance. Another ‘Crocodile Smile’ child. It has an interesting combination of cool colored standards and warm falls. Falls show a slightly different expression of the plicata pattern. Also notice the interesting dotted plicata pattern on the back of the falls, characteristic of many ‘Crocodile Smile’ offspring. Near solid gray plum standards sit atop butter yellow ground falls with a nearly solid overlay of dark plum and marigold beards. Sdlg. BB108A: Black Y56B: (Hot Off The Press x All Too Exciting) X Crocodile Smile

GARDEN APPEAL (Black ’24)
TB Midseason-late 32” (81.5cm)
Sweet fragrance. This smaller flowered tall bearded beauty traces back to ‘Passionate Embrace’ and the unusually colored flowers it produces, particularly in the citrus colors. Its myriads of show stalks cover the clumps in bloom. The white fall bands make it pop. Contrasting style arms are characteristic of ‘Passionate Embrace’ offspring, as are unique colors and show branched stalks. Sdlg. BB116C: Black Y84C: (Black V22C: (Toast Of The Town x unknown) x Black W32A: (Clouds Go By x What A Beard!)) X Solar Sunrise

BEAUTIFUL ESSENCE (Black ’24)
TB Midseason-late 34” (86.5cm)
Sweet fragrance. Yes, another ‘Crocodile Smile’ offspring. To say its plicata markings are subtle is an understatement. Some might question it being a plicata, but both parents are plicatas. It isn’t a glaciata because there are some subtle anthocyanin markings. A beautifully elegant flower, with all good garden traits, it should be an excellent parent. Standards are warm white with a pale stitched edge. Falls are warm white with minimum buff plicata hafts and edge. Sdlg. BB105D: Crocodile Smile X Z62C: (All Too Exciting x Black U53X, Rise Like A Phoenix sib)

LEMON PEEL (Black ’24)
TB Early-midseason 34” (86.5cm)
Musky fragrance. Another of the ‘Crocodile Smile’ offspring, with bright yellow ground falls. Plicata markings are variable from flower to flower, which indicates ‘Crocodile Smile’ or its offspring should be good to pair with broken color plicatas. A waxy texture over the falls is fairly common. Notice the vivid yellow styles. Fun and unique. Sdlg. BB104L: Crocodile Smile X Black Y135A: (All Too Exciting x Fancy Ideas)

GOLD JEWELRY (P. Black '25)
BB Midseason-late 27” (68.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
A master craftsman created this bit of perfection. Perfectly formed ruffled flowers, perfect BB proportion, perfectly branched and budded stalks, and strong growth make this a primo selection. Flowers are deep gold with marigold beards that can be seen from across the garden.
Sdlg. CC127B: Spiced Apples X Z145I: (V385B: (First Lady Of Spring x Silver Ice) x V168A: (Coral Splendor x Simply Coral))

BODACIOUS BEARD (P. Black '25)
BB Midseason-late 27” (68.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
There is no ignoring this exceptionally nice creation. Its big bushy mid marigold beards demand you stop and look. Standards and narrow band on white falls are mid gold. Perfectly proportioned show stalks have three branches and 9-10 buds. Near perfection. Exciting parentage.
Sdlg. CC127D: Spiced Apples X Z145I: (V385B: (First Lady Of Spring x Silver Ice) x V168A: (Coral Splendor x Simply Coral))

DAINTY BRIDE (P. Black '25)
SDB Late-very late 14” (35.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
It is another of my late blooming, multiple budded and branched SDBs. The flowers are a miniaturized version of Bride’s Halo. White flowers have narrow light yellow bands. Show stalks have three branches and 8-9 buds. Unheard of for a SDB. From two of my favorite varieties.
Sdlg. CC151F: Silver Ice X First Lady Of Spring

STRIPES ARE IN (P. Black '25)
TB Midseason-late 32” (81.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
Here is another of the fantastic Crocodile Smile offspring with unique lined falls in various colors that I’ve been anxious to introduce. White standards have wide almost solid dark purple plicata bands and heavily stitched and sanded centers. White falls have intermittent lines over their centers and a solid center stripe. The number and length of lines is variable. I can’t wait to see more of its kids. Three branches and 8-9 buds is typical.
Sdlg. BB106N: Crocodile Smile X Z100D, Background Noise sib

BLUEPRINT FOR SPRING (P. Black '25)
TB Midseason-late 36” (91.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
What makes this light blue bitone with falls veined darker mid-blue special? I think it is the best attempt so far to put a pink beard on a blue iris. It has been a challenge for many hybridizers. Its other special feature is the clumps filled with bloom stalks creating an overpowering display of color in the garden. To say it is floriferous is an understatement, and yet, there is plenty of increase left.
Sdlg. BB157O: Y168A: (V159M, Pleasure's All Mine sib x W113A: (S157I, Reflections Of Love sib x Multnomah Falls)) X Z114B: (V159Q, Pleasure’s All Mine sib x V159O, Pleasure’s All Mine sib)

VARIATION ON A THEME (P. Black '25)
TB Midseason-late 33” (84cm) Slight musky fragrance.
This theme includes several medians and I. aphylla in the parentage. I’m excited when I can add more diversity in a cross. As I like to say, “More is more.” The blending, shades, and patterning of blue bring to mind the ever-changing skies. Standards are mid-dark blue blending to mid-light blue toward edges. Inky dark blue falls blend to wide light blue bands. Two-toned beards are a fun accent. Moderately sized flowers are carried on three branches having 9-10 buds.
Sdlg. BB161E: Y170C, Stardust Evening sib X Z145H: (V385B: (First Lady Of Spring x Silver Ice) x V168A: (Coral Splendor x Simply Coral))

AMERICAN ADVENTURE (Paul Black 26)
TB Late-very late 33” (84cm) No fragrance.
Rich, dramatic, and luxuriously ruffled, American Adventure makes a bold statement in the spring garden. The deep inky purple plicata markings over the muted white center of the standards contrast with the chalky white falls, which have a light purple fancy plicata wash that deepens to near black edges. Blooms are heavily textured and graced with artful rippling. Vigorous growth produces show stalks with 3 branches plus spur and branch spur, giving a superb 10-11 buds. Dark stalks and mid purple spathes add an artistic touch. Sdlg. DD20A: Y14E, Bespoke sibling X Awash In Purple

FORTUNE AND GLORY (Paul Black 26)
BB Midseason-late 26” (66cm) Slight spicy fragrance.
This stable of smaller flowered parents helped create a near perfect border bearded of mouthwatering mid golden apricot blooms with hazy plum-brown veins descending from vivid orange beards. Moderate ruffling is perfect for its size. Superb parent for BBs, IBs and TBs. Two branches and spur carry 8-9 buds. Sdlg. EE60A: Black BB109A: (Black Y59C: (Hot Off The Press x All Too Exciting) x Hot Off The Press) X Black CC4A: (Hot Off The Press x Z145I: (Black V385B: (First Lady Of Spring x Silver Ice) x Black V168A: (Coral Splendor x Simply Coral)))

ATHENA (Lynda Miller ’26)
TB Late 31” (78.5cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
The Greek goddess of war and wisdom is represented by the dramatic contrast in this bicolor. Caramel standards are infused light burgundy red violet; caramel styles are accented red-violet. Falls are deep smoky red, with a flash of violet below the dark burnt tangerine beards. Seven to nine buds on nicely branched stems. Sdlg. 6418: Fruit Slices X 8714: (1912C: (Rustle Of Spring x Trial By Fire) x 8410: (Original Cast x Standing Alone))

YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 37” (94cm) Light fragrance.
Light lavender standards have a lighter area with lilac dotting in the center. Deep salmon pink style arms peek out from inside the standards, adding great contrast. Falls are white, with a deep plum purple band and light lavender edge. A deep plum center stripe extends from just below the red-orange beard to the plum band. Another iris that makes a very fine clump and is an easy grower. Sdlg. TO246B: Tenacity X Salmon Springs