TROPICAL (P. Black '25)
SDB Midseason-late 13” (33cm) Pronounced sweet fragrance.
What an amazing color. Standards are mid rosy pink becoming paler toward edges and rimmed light tan-gold. Mid rosy pink falls have light peach hafts veined mid rosy brown and rimmed light tan-gold. Big coral beards are a great adornment.
Sdlg. DD134A: Little Band Of Gold X BB226D, Neon Flash sib

ANGEL FALLS (P. Black '25)
TB Late-very late 35” (89cm) Pronounced spicy fragrance.
Imagine white cascades of water plunging into white sprays darkening into dark blue waves moving outward. Angel Falls is an intriguingly stunning sight. Bright marigold beards are a bit of sun to highlight the moment. Purple based foliage extending to clean blue-green leaves is a special bonus. Show branched stalks have 3 branches plus spur and 9-10 buds. A clump of these beauties is unforgettable.
Sdlg. BB17S: Hotsy Totsy X Bright Within

PEACH BERRY JUMBLE (P. Black '25)
TB Midseason-late 33” (84cm) No fragrance.
The time of broken colored irises with poor form, stalks, buds, and growth is past. Now is the time to put this colorful beauty in your garden. Standards have mid to dark mulberry segments and streaks, and mid to light peach segments and streaks. Falls have a mid peach ground, white around the beards, and mid to dark mulberry segments, streaks, sanding, and dotting. WOW! What a wild and crazy flower. Vigorous growth produces show stalks with three branches and 8-9 buds.
Sdlg. BB117N: Y87A: (V24C, Cockeyed Optimist sib x W144C: (T46C: (Claim To Fame x Advantage) x T52CR: (N134AAR: (Island Coral x K113A: (Throb x I4B: (Blazing Sunrise x C17D, Vibrant sib))) x Advantage))) X Y115B, Breaking Free 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)

DOUBLE DEALING (P. Black '25)
TB Early-midseason 30” (76cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
Breeding for broken color irises is difficult, and even more so for variegated foliage. The presence of both in the same iris is still a rare achievement. Double Dealing meets the challenge. Variegated foliage has segments that are blue-green, grass green and white. Broken color flowers have standards of light tan-yellow with mid rosy mauve broken color segments. Falls are mid tan-gold with mid maroon sanding and dark maroon broken color segments, streaks, and splashes. Stalks have 2 branches plus spur and 8 buds.
Sdlg. BB117A: Y87A: (V24C, Cockeyed Optimist sib x W144C: (T46C: (Claim To Fame x Advantage) x T52CR: (N134AAR: (Island Coral x K113A: (Throb x I4B: (Blazing Sunrise x C17D, Vibrant sib))) x Advantage))) X Y115B, Breaking Free sib

BURNING FLAME (Thomas Johnson ’26)
SDB Early-midseason 12” (30.5cm) Sweet fragrance.
These smaller, more tailored flowers create a wallop of a punch in the color department! That BEARD!! Sdlg. TP254B: Forever Aglow X TL282B: (Kay x Roaring Fire)

COMPLETE OPPOSITE (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 38” (96.5cm) Slight fragrance.
What can we say about this one? Contrast certainly comes to mind! Deep blue purple standards sit atop cinnamon brown falls. Tall stems with lightly ruffled flowers have carrying power out the kazoo! Holy cow, does this one make a statement. It is the iris that garden visitors most often tell me about; it seems to imprint! Certainly unique, and won’t be mistaken for anything else! Stems and branching are good. The flowers are not as wide and ruffled as I usually like, but are certainly adequate. Sdlg. TN13A: Mood Ring X unknown seedling

DRESSED FOR THE OCCASION (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 37” (94cm) Sweet fragrance.
Medium red purple standards sit atop deeper black cherry red falls with brilliant tangerine to red beards. Flowers are large and very ruffled. Stems are tall, with good bud count and show branching. Dressed For The Occasion is very elegant in the fields; it commands attention. Sdlg. TN162B: Own The Night X Heat Of The Moment

EYE LOVE YOU (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason-late 36” (91cm) Slight musky fragrance.
I have been working on the ‘pansy face’ pattern, or you could say ‘signal’ pattern, in TBs for quite a few years. Trying to get different colors in the pattern has been fun. Eye Love You has a lot going on in the color department. Standards are flesh to peach, with large pink centers and a lavender infusion up the midrib. Falls are light lavender with a deep maroon signal, and upon closer inspection, there is a very faint lighter peach band. The orange beard sitting on top of the maroon signal just makes the whole thing pop. It certainly makes for a brilliant display in the fields, and won’t be mistaken for any other iris. Sdlg. TN31ZZ: Truth Or Dare X Autumn Tease

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

CASTLES IN THE SKY (Paul Black 26)
TB Late-very late 33” (84cm) Slight musky fragrance.
White standards have a wide luminous light cornflower blue plicata banding. Broad white falls are boldly framed with a narrow mid violet-blue plicata band and dramatic solid hafts. Mid blue beards are a subtle complement. Robust, winter-hardy plants produce strong show stalks, having 3 branches plus spur and 9-10 buds. Purple based blue-green foliage adds disease resistance. Stands out even from a distance. Sdlg. CC109A: Black Z100H, Background Noise sibling X Black AA45A: (Rumor Has It x Me And My Shadow)

PICTURE PERFECT MOMENT (Paul Black 26)
TB Late-very late 32” (81.5cm) Slight musky fragrance.
Its lavish ruffles and lace, that harken to a baroque time of sumptuous excess, will make it a focal point in any garden. Tightly formed blooms have rich deep lilac standards. Lilac falls transition from darker shades at their edges to lighter, almost lavender-tinted, centers. Vibrant orange beards hit a high note. Hefty rhizomes produce strong stalks with 2 branches and 7-8 buds. Heavy substance ensures its striking presence, no matter the weather. Sdlg. DD13A: So Much More X Black AA270B: (Soul Mate x Super Model)

SCATTERSHOT DOTS (Paul Black 26)
TB Midseason-late 30” (76cm) Pronounced sweet fragrance.
Here’s another in the limited realm of the strange broken color plicatas. Each flower is patterned differently. Typically marked standards have a light buttercream ground with a dark charcoal-purple wide rib, heavily plicata-sanded center, and wide band. White falls have light yellow variably-sized hafts, irregular broken color segments of wine to purple dotting and sanding, and a narrow dark wine plicata band. Sdlg. EE25A: Black AA84W, Make Up Your Mind X Wild About You

STRANGE BEAST (Paul Black 26)
TB Midseason-late 33” (84cm) Slight sweet fragrance.
Such a mix-up of color and pattern! No two flowers of this broken color sort are the same. Superbly formed flowers have light gold and light mauve broken color segments. More dramatically formed falls are a broken color medley of mid to dark gold and mid to dark burgundy, with a white dart at the end of light marigold beards. Don’t be surprised if you encounter an occasional variegated foliage plant. It intermittently decides to give one. It definitely does not have stable variegated foliage. Strong stalks normally have 2 branches and 7 buds. Sdlg. EE69F: Black Y87A: (Black V24C, Cockeyed Optimist sibling x Black W144C: (Black T46C: (Claim To Fame x Advantage) x Black T52CR: (Black N134AAR: (Island Coral x Black K113A: (Throb x Black I4A: (Blazing Sunrise x Black C17D, Vibrant sibling))) x Advantage))) X Hodgepodge

IT’S A WRAP (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Midseason-late 37” (94cm) Slight fragrance.
This gorgeous pink iris was named It’s A Wrap because we always know that when it starts to bloom we are heading towards the end of the bloom season. Marked for introduction from its maiden bloom, we have been patiently building stock and are excited to finally offer it. This gorgeous pink self is slightly lighter below the beards, which are a wonderful shade of shrimp pink. This glorious color is displayed on perfectly formed flowers that are wide, ruffled, and lightly laced. Good stems and high bud count make this a long bloomer and a good candidate for best specimen at the late shows. Sdlg. TL51ZZ: Strawberry Shake X Slice Of Heaven

LOOKING LIKE THAT (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 38” (96.5cm) Sweet fragrance.
This pattern is so clear and matter of fact that I thought it deserved a name that is a strong statement. Looking Like That is bold and beautiful, and creates quite a stir. Standards are complex, with deep lemon centers becoming the lightest lavender, then showing lemon veining at the edge. Falls are rich deep lavender, with a massive deep burgundy signal and yellow orange beards. Fantastic stems that are well branched and held high above the foliage set the stage for quite a show. Sdlg. TN180E: Are You Kidding Me sibling

LOVER’S TOUCH (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 39” (99cm) Sweet fragrance.
Standards have a medium blue pink center becoming lighter towards the edge. Falls are lavender white with a dotted blue lavender plicata edge with pink undertones. Beards are a mixture of orange, lavender and white, adding another dimension in this very pleasing and warm color combination. Really a very beautiful and elegant iris, that has lots of buds on nice show stems. Parentage is unknown.

MAIN MENU (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 38” (96.5cm) Slight musky fragrance.
Standards have a deep plum center, becoming lighter towards the edge. Falls are amber to orange, with a small white area below the orange beards. Main Menu is a very strong grower and bloomer. Show stems with 2 branches and a spur carry 9 to 11 buds. A knockout in a clump. Sdlg. TN27PP: Artificial Intelligence sibling

NO DENYING (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason-late 38” (96.5cm) No fragrance.
Icy blue white standards have lemon bases and a gold halo. Falls are white with a blue band and lemon hafts. Beards are more yellow than orange, giving the flower brightness and light. Best of all are the plant habits. Vigorous plants cover themselves with an abundance of tall, well-branched stems, creating an amazing floral display. It got its name when I walked by a clump of it in full flower last year and commented to myself that there is certainly “no denying” you! Sdlg. TN70XX: So Excited sibling X Angelic Morn

PERFECT IN EVERY WAY (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason-late 38” (96.5cm) Sweet fragrance.
Ooh la la, this one is a stunner. I am not usually overtaken by yellow and white, as the pattern has been done before, but... I simply cannot get enough of this. The form is impeccable, the stems and bud count are first rate, and the clumps are like heaven! The color is so clean and clear, and applied in such a way, that it makes me want to just pull up a chair and sit and stare at it all day long. Is it a glaciata? If you look deep in the heart, you will see the smallest of short purple lines. Whatever the classification, it is certainly gorgeous and highly recommended. Sdlg. TO150C: Gone Viral X Feast For The Eyes