Hi all, I have tried Iris missouriensis here from seed. As noted by Steve, I too got poor germination of the seed, but a few did grow. I have two clones now, and one has bloomed the past two springs. I am growing it outdoors in the ground in raised beds of sand/topsoil/leaf compost, in full sun. It gets no irrigation, only natural rainfall. I hope eventually to get seeds from these two plants. It would be nice to have a somewhat more vigorous strain for this part of the Midwest. Iris versicolor, easy from seed, is a more northern species that does very well here. I. virginiensis, supposedly native to Indiana, is not so vigorous in my garden; but I have it in light shade. I. fulva lasted a few years and bloomed nicely, but dwindled gradually away. Best wishes, Jim Shields in central Indiana (USA) At 10:44 PM 6/7/2006 -0500, Jim W. wrote: >Dear Joe ; > More than likely I. missouriensis - widespread distribution >and locally very abundant. > > Contrary to the name's expectations it DOES NOT grow in >Missouri and I can barely keep it alive for even a year. ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA