BALTIC SEA (T.Johnson '08)
TB Late 38” (97cm)
The extreme ruffles of Baltic Sea reminds us of the power of crashing, windswept waves as they curl toward the shore. Large, tightly formed medium marine blue flowers are breathtaking when seen singly or in clump. Beards are soft cream to blue-white. Strong growth produces stalks with 3 branches and about 9 buds. Heavy substance helps Baltic Sea maintain its lovely form even in the rain.
Sdlg. TW10A: Capital City Jazz X Sea Power

LACE AND PROMISES (Paul Black '22)
TB Midseason-Very Late 37” (94cm)
No fragrance. Large voluptuous blooms are breathtakingly presented on statuesque stalks that will draw comments of admiration in your garden. Pale violet blue standards color is repeated in lighter beards set on white falls. Each bloom is precisely edged in lace and their heavy substance promises they’ll be a lasting presence for you to enjoy.
Sdlg. Y45C: Black U10, Luxuriant sib X Black U51B, When Angels Sing sib

APPLE OF MY EYE (Paul Black 23)
TB Late-Very Late 35” (89cm)
Pronounced sweet fragrance Oh YES, I really like this one. Be sure to take in the lovely, nuanced colors. Tight classically formed flowers have waxen substance and sheen. Lightly laced red brown standards blend to wide dark mulberry bands, a very interesting color transition. Narrow crinkle laced black cherry falls are touched with white dotting. The white chevron around the multi-layered beard is heavily mottled mid black cherry. Three layered beards are white to dark purple and tipped old gold. Strong, disease resistant foliage. Show branched stalks have 3 branches plus spur and 9- 10 buds. Sdlg. AA268A: Ruby Tracery X Black Y54A, Drag Race sib

PAY THE PIPER (Black 23)
BB Midseason-Late 26” (66cm)
Slight spicy fragrance Once you’ve paid the piper, he’ll give you this spectacular creation. It makes one of the finest clumps with masses of classically formed flowers that last for days from iron like substance. Standards are light buffy pink and styles mid buffy pink. Mid buffy pink falls are washed old rose becoming darker toward edges. Hafts are veined dark old rose as are lines overall. Flaming dark orange beards complete the piper’s act. Exceptionally well-proportioned flowers are carried on show stalks with 3-4 branches and 9-12 buds. Sdlg. BB162E: Luscious Lips X Black Y171B: Luscious Lips sib

GONZO (Paul Black 23)
BB Midseason-Late 25” (63.5cm)
Slight spicy fragrance Descendants of ‘Delectable Treat’ have great substance. This is one of them. It takes 4 or 5 days for the flowers to open and expand. This cross gave a wide range of unique colors and patterns and most having superior branching and buds. Standards and styles are mid greenish yellow. Hafts of greenish cream falls are veined mid rosy brown changing to solid edgings along upper half. Dark pumpkin beards add a bit of warmth. Superbly proportioned flowers are carried on show stalks with 3-4 branches and 9-11 buds. No mistaking this for any other. Sdlg. BB162B: Luscious Lips X Black Y171B, Luscious Lips sib

SURE TO TURN HEADS (Black ’24)
TB Midseason-late 33” (84cm)
Sweet fragrance. Put this iris at the top of your list. Its maiden bloom said, “I’m a star,” and so it is. It easily makes my top ten list. Tight compact form and heavy substance ensure it won’t fall apart in adverse weather. Exuberantly ruffled standards contrast with tightly pie crust ruffled fall edges so as to adorn but not obscure the stunning plicata patterning. Sturdy show stalks have 4 branches with 11-14 buds. Growth is robust and clean. Clumps are filled with stalks and bloom. You’re sure to turn your head as you walk by. Sdlg. BB106B: Crocodile Smile X Black Z100D, Background Noise sib

BALLROOM GOWN (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 39” (99cm) Sweet fragrance.
It is difficult to find the words to describe this one; the picture kind of says it all. Incredible form and with heavy substance, this stately luminata is characterized with a very wide rim on the standards. Intensely ruffled falls have a huge showy central luminata patch. At 39 inches, it is very tall for this pattern, which has tended to be on the shorter side. Show stems that can carry up to three branches, and spurs even on the branches, provide lots of buds for an extended bloom season. We have used this one heavily in our hybridizing program, putting it right at the top of our favorites list. Sdlg. TN21XX: Affair to Remember X Gone Viral

EXACTLY RIGHT (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Early-midseason 38” (96.5cm) Sweet fragrance.
Blue purple standards have large rich red plum centers. Falls are a deep blue purple with a red violet brindled wash. Exactly Right has excellent form, with strong substance and very wide and heavily ruffled petals. Really a very gorgeous iris. Sdlg. TN213A: Opulent Affair X Only Imagine sibling

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)

MAGICAL WONDERLAND (Thomas Johnson ’26)
TB Midseason-late 35” (89cm) Slight musky fragrance.
Deep plum to grape purple standards rise above light lavender white falls with a deeper lavender wash below the beard, extending out to a wide peach orange band. Magical Wonderland has fantastic form, with very heavy substance. Its flowers are very, very ruffled; it is gorgeous in full bloom. Sdlg. TN27HH: Artificial Intelligence sibling