Dear Joe and others; My 2 cents. You may be totally too warm for Tall Bearded iris. 'Victoria Falls' is a top award winner from the American Iris Society and very popular. I suggest you try planting this -now is a still a good time- in a site where it gets morning shade and afternoon sun. This will give it the late day sun and heat it needs, but temper it from all day heat. It would still get enough sun to bloom. I do this here by planting on the west edge of a large tree avoiding some root competition, but that isn't a major problem. If your soil is really poor, fertilize it regularly. Jim W. ps 'Contraband Girl is registered as a Louisiana Iris, but one nursery sold a pale orchid I. virginica under this name to confuse the issue. Either way it would be very happy submerged in water. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 E-fax 419-781-8594 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +